Smart Phone Acetone Breath Detector On the Way
Engineers at ETH Zürich have developed a smartphone accessory that functions as an acetone breathalyzer to track fat metabolism. By measuring acetone levels in exhaled breath, the device provides a non-invasive way for users to monitor ketosis levels with high accuracy.
Why it matters
This technology offers a convenient, lab-grade alternative to traditional ketosis testing methods, potentially aiding health and fitness tracking.
Are ketosis strips about to be a thing of the past? Scientists have developed a reliable acetone detecting device that can estimate how much fat you’re burning with a puff of air. A team of engineers and diabetes specialists, helmed by Prof. Dr Andreas Güntner, Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, reported this July that they have invented a smart phone accessory that turns your device into an acetone breathalyzer.
Similar to an alcohol breathalyzer, this new piece of kit can detect the percentage of acetone in your breath. An app on your smart phone then crunches the numbers to convert this into an estimate of how much fat your body is currently metabolizing. While there are acetone breathalyzers on the market right now, the academics claim that their device sets a new standard for accuracy and consistency.
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