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CNET
5 hours ago
- Health
- CNET
I Used an AI-Powered Glucose Monitor for 2 Weeks. Here's What Surprised Me
I've used my Oura Ring the past few years to track my sleep, recovery and stress. I'm constantly experimenting with the latest health tech, so I was naturally intrigued when Oura Ring recently partnered with Dexcom's Stelo, a continuous glucose monitor designed for people without diabetes. The goal of this collaboration is to help everyday people like me understand how food and general eating habits affect our blood sugar and overall health. "By combining Stelo data with Oura's existing insights, we're empowering members to better understand the cause-and-effect relationships between eating patterns, energy, mood and recovery -- and ultimately make sustainable, science-backed lifestyle changes," Maz Brumand, vice president of product for Oura, told CNET. I tested the Stelo CGM with my Oura Ring for two weeks, and it changed the way I eat and move. This type of biofeedback is helpful for everyone, even those without diabetes. What is continuous glucose monitoring, and why is it important? Your blood sugar, or blood glucose, refers to the measurement of sugar in your blood. According to the Cleveland Clinic, glucose is the main source of energy for your body -- it's what powers your muscles, brain and even your cells. When you eat certain foods (particularly carbohydrates), your glucose rises, and your body responds by releasing insulin to shuttle that sugar into cells for energy or storage. But if you experience frequent spikes or crashes -- even if you don't have diabetes -- it can affect your energy, sleep, mood and even long-term metabolic health. When your body doesn't need glucose immediately, it stores it as glycogen in your muscles and liver. For people with diabetes, monitoring glucose levels is crucial. But is it important to do the same for the rest of us without a diagnosis? To an extent, I think so. Monitoring your blood sugar throughout the day and seeing how your body reacts to different foods can reveal a lot about your cravings, sleep and metabolic health. "Glucose is a real-time window into metabolic health, which underpins how we feel day to day -- our energy, focus, mood and sleep -- and how resilient we are over time," Brumand says. Oura Can I buy a glucose monitor over the counter? You don't need to have a prescription to purchase a glucose monitor, like the one I tried out from Stelo. With the rise of over-the-counter wearable glucose sensors like te Stelo, those without diabetes can now get insights into how their eating habits affect their bodies (without finger pricks or a prescription). Dexcom and Stelo are two big players in the wearable glucose monitor market, but there are plenty of other options with various features and prices in our guide to the best continuous glucose monitors. What is a 'normal' glucose range, and are spikes bad? Before using a CGM, I thought blood sugar was either stable or erratic, with no room for in-between spikes. Once I began tracking my glucose daily, I quickly learned that spikes are completely normal, especially after meals and snacks. Most people will see glucose levels rise and drop throughout the day. According to the American Diabetes Association, a general target range for adults without prediabetes or diabetes is between 70 and 140mg/dL (note that Oura also follows this range, and it's what users can expect to see in their graphs). It's also worth highlighting that 70 to 100mg/dL is considered normal for fasting (particularly in the morning before having food), and under 140 mg/dL is common, especially after meals. "Clinical studies show that even in healthy individuals, a moderate glucose spike (rise above 140mg/dL) can occur on a daily basis. In fact, research suggests that healthy adults will live above 140mg/dL for about 30 minutes, up to 2 hours a day, which is usually one to three short-lived glucose spikes," says Renee Fitton, registered dietitian and director of education at L-Nutra, a nutrition technology company. Oura Fitton further explained that the number and frequency of glucose spikes depend on various factors, primarily what and when you're eating. These spiked can also be affected by other factors like stress level, exercise, dehydration and even whether you have a sunburn. Many glucose monitors use a custom range that adapts to your body's baseline and patterns over time. When looking at your graph, it's important to keep in mind that context and trends matter more than one-off spikes. For example, seeing a spike after dessert isn't a sign that something is wrong. It's a sign that your body is doing its job. What matters most is how quickly your glucose returns to baseline and how often your levels stay elevated over time. "I would not see signs for concern for occasional (one to three times per day) moderate spikes (less than 160mg/dL) that resolve within about 30 minutes. When reaching more frequent, especially if they are higher spikes (for example, above 180mg/dL), that take a long time to resolve (over 60 minutes), then there may be concerns about metabolic health," Fitton explained. "A completely flat glucose curve is not something that we aim for; you want some gentle ups and downs as a sign of healthy metabolic flexibility." How I set up the Stelo monitor with my Oura Ring You can order the Stelo sensor directly from Oura ($99 for two sensors). I received a small box with the sensors and easy instructions. Applying it to the back of my upper arm took less than 2 minutes and was surprisingly painless. And yes, there is a small needle involved. I'm terrified of needles, so I spent some time mentally preparing to prick myself, but to my disbelief, I didn't feel it at all. The sound the ejector makes is pretty loud, though. I sometimes think the sound acted as a diversion to my brain, and that's why I didn't feel anything. But, nonetheless, it was a pain-free experience. Once in place, I paired it to the Stelo app, and it automatically reflected within the Oura app. Each sensor tracks your glucose level 24/7 for up to 15 days. Left Image: CGM in the self-injector. Right image: CGM on the back of my right arm. Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET From the Oura app, I could see how my glucose levels fluctuated throughout the day. You can easily access it at the top of the app, where you also see other data metrics like sleep, heart rate, activity and readiness score (a personalized score, ranging from 0 to 100, that provides a snapshot of how well your body has recovered from the previous day's activities and sleep). Even my 'healthy' food choices raised my blood sugar (and that's OK) One of the most eye-opening parts of my testing was seeing how some of my favorite healthy staples played out on the glucose graph. A great example of this was my favorite pressed juice. I had a pressed juice in the morning that contained pineapple, beets, carrots, ginger, cucumber and lemon. It's nutrient-dense, but it also spiked my glucose above what's considered my healthy range for about 6 minutes (a small window and still considered optimal for my age and overall metabolic health). This was enough to make me rethink how and when I consume fruit-heavy beverages. The next day, I experimented with having a fruit smoothie instead of juice. I made a homemade smoothie with berries, banana, plant-based protein powder, peanut butter, soy milk and oats. This smoothie kept my glucose completely in range (zero minutes above my personal threshold). The added protein and fiber from the fruit, oatmeal, peanut butter and protein powder helped slow the absorption of natural sugars into my bloodstream. Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET What I learned: Even natural fruit juices can cause glucose spikes, especially when consumed on an empty stomach and without any protein or fiber. Smoothies that include protein, fat and fiber can help keep spikes at bay and help stabilize your energy levels. Balance your meals with protein, fats and fiber Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET Later that week, I had sushi rolls with a side of edamame for dinner. To my surprise, my glucose levels stayed within range the whole time. Oura Advisor (Oura's AI coach) even pointed out that this food combination offered protein and fiber, which likely contributed to the steady glucose levels. This moment was really encouraging for me. It made me realize that I don't need to drastically change what I eat. By just being more intentional about how I pair my foods, I can drastically improve the impact they have on my blood glucose. Pairing your foods with healthy fats like avocados, nuts, seeds and olive oil can also slow digestion and therefore the absorption of sugars. Fitton explains that this is primarily due to what happens in our digestive tract, even before the nutrients get to our bloodstream. Protein, fiber and healthy fats work in their own way to slow the absorption of simple carbohydrates into the bloodstream, making a slower, more gradual release of sugars into the blood. These factors turn what could be a glucose spike into a steady rise that your body can clear gradually. "The biggest area of concern when managing our blood sugar levels is limiting refined carbohydrates. When you do choose a refined-carb item (a plain cracker, white flour tortilla, cookies and so on), try to pair it instead of eating it solo: add cheese, nut butter or a handful of edamame to blunt the glucose rise, and choose a higher-fiber version of your carbohydrate source when possible (for example, whole-grain crackers) so the carbs come packaged with their own speed limit," Fitton says. Cake and a walk equal steady blood sugar? One of the more surprising things I learned was that blood sugar stability isn't just about what you eat. It's also about what you do after you eat. One afternoon, I had a slice of cake for a snack. No fiber or protein added, just the cake (I had lunch a few hours before). Instead of my blood sugar spiking, my glucose levels remained steadily in range. The caveat? I took a brisk walk after having my dessert. It wasn't anything strenuous, just a short 15-minute walk around my neighborhood. But it was enough to help my body process and use the glucose more efficiently. "The body knows that exercise demands more energy, and so it helps open up our cells to soak up sugar (energy) and remove it from our blood. A 10-minute walk burns about 30 to 40 calories, and your body will get that energy from circulating glucose or stored glycogen," Fitton explained. After eating cake and going for a walk, my blood sugar saw a slight spike, but stayed within range. Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET Taking a walk after meals has long been recommended by experts for metabolic health, but seeing the effect in real time made it click for me. I do think that having the cake after having a balanced meal with protein and fiber also contributed to my steady levels of blood sugar. Sometimes, it's not about completely eliminating our favorite treats or carbs, but more so about timing, food pairing and movement. 3 ways I learned to flatten my glucose curve without sacrificing my favorite meals Before using the glucose sensor with Oura, I assumed blood sugar spikes were mostly about foods and how they impact your body. I also thought the only way to manage them was to cut carbs or drastically change my diet. But over these two weeks, I experienced firsthand how and when I eat (and move) matter just as much as what I eat. I learned that these three strategies helped keep my glucose levels in check. Pair carbs and sweets with protein, fiber and healthy fats When I had a berry smoothie with protein powder and soy milk, my glucose levels stayed steady. In contrast, when I had a fruit smoothie earlier that week, my blood sugar levels spiked and crashed more quickly. Takeaway: Carbs on their own, especially refined and processed carbs, can spike blood sugar quickly, but adding protein or fat slows digestion and leads to a more gentle spike. Food pairing examples: Apples and peanut butter, toast with avocado, rice with beans or another it out (especially after sweets) When I had cake as a snack, I was sure my graph would spike dramatically, but it didn't because of my walk (and eating a balanced meal before). A simple walk, even just 10 to 15 minutes, can help offset blood sugar spikes. This small but simple habit helps me now enjoy treats without the crash later. Timing your food matters I also noticed that when I ate higher-carb foods earlier in the day, my body processed them better than when I had them later at night. Breakfast smoothies and bowls kept my levels stable, while the same smoothie after 9 p.m. caused more spikes. "When it comes to blood sugar management, we see that in the morning our body usually has a spike in cortisol (a stress hormone) that can actually help our body take up sugar very quickly and quickly manage blood sugar. Eating in the morning will also calm the cortisol response, reducing the stress on your body. If you wait too long to eat, excess cortisol can create inflammation and also produce larger glucose spikes when you do eat," explained Fitton. Fitton further explained that, conversely, in the evening, the sugar management systems in our bodies start powering down and are not as good at helping blood sugar get into the cells. So it is important to try not to eat too late; otherwise, you'll probably see blood sugar go up and stay up for longer. That doesn't mean you can't eat carbs or treats at night, but eating them earlier in the day when insulin sensitivity tends to be higher can make a real difference.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dexcom Launches Revolutionary AI-Powered Meal Logging Feature Across Glucose Biosensing Portfolio
The new AI-powered Smart Food Logging feature supports greater personalized insights into how meals are impacting glucose levels Users can now take a photo of their food in their Stelo or Dexcom G7 app where AI will automatically identify the ingredients and populate the meal description SAN DIEGO, July 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DexCom, Inc., the global leader in glucose biosensing, announced today it has released a new AI-powered photo meal logging feature to Stelo, the first over-the-counter glucose biosensor cleared1 by the FDA in the United States, following the feature's launch on Dexcom G7 earlier this year. Dexcom's Smart Food Logging feature encourages and enables users to log their meals more consistently. Stelo and Dexcom G7 users can now simply take a photo of their food in the app where AI will automatically identify the ingredients and populate the meal description. Dexcom G7 is the only prescription continuous glucose monitor in the U.S. to support photo logging2,3. "Diet plays a crucial role in managing glucose levels, and our new Smart Food Logging feature removes barriers to food tracking, making it easier to consistently log and understand the impact of meals," said Jake Leach, president and chief operating officer at Dexcom. "Smart Food Logging has long been a highly requested feature from users across our product portfolio, so we're excited to bring it to market and hope this enhanced tracking feature makes managing glucose levels even simpler." The addition of Smart Food Logging is yet another demonstration of Dexcom's commitment to continued innovation and AI. This new feature joins other recently announced enhancements across Dexcom's glucose biosensing portfolio, including: Weekly Insights in Stelo: The first GenAI feature in Stelo, which offers users more personalized tips, recommendations, and education related to diet, exercise, and sleep that are contextualized within the Stelo app. Stelo integration with Oura: The first-ever integration of glucose biosensing data in the Oura app. When Stelo is synced with Oura, users have a holistic view of their body's biometrics, now including glucose. This integration empowers users to understand the impact of different health behaviors and work towards optimal metabolic health. Customizable target range in Dexcom G7: A new feature that enables users to adjust their glucose target ranges in Clarity Card within the Dexcom G7 app, beyond default settings – allowing for greater personalization across user groups. Glucose Impact in Dexcom G7 and Stelo: Glucose Impact offers a new focused view for logged events to see a clearer picture and gain a deeper understanding of how meals, activities, and sleep patterns affect your glucose levels. Stelo and Dexcom G7 users can now access the Smart Food Logging feature by updating to the latest version of the app on iOS and Android platforms. About DexCom, Inc. Dexcom empowers people to take control of health through innovative biosensing technology. Founded in 1999, Dexcom has pioneered and set the standard in glucose biosensing for more than 25 years. Its technology has transformed how people manage diabetes and track their glucose, helping them feel more in control and live more confidently. Dexcom. Discover what you're made of. For more information, visit Category: IR 1 Dexcom, Stelo User Guide, 2024. 2 Based on Freestyle Libre User Guides. 3 Based on Medtronic User Guides. View source version on Contacts Media Relations Contact Nadia Conardmediarelations@ Investor Relations Contact Sean Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
28-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Dexcom Launches Revolutionary AI-Powered Meal Logging Feature Across Glucose Biosensing Portfolio
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DexCom, Inc., the global leader in glucose biosensing, announced today it has released a new AI-powered photo meal logging feature to Stelo, the first over-the-counter glucose biosensor cleared 1 by the FDA in the United States, following the feature's launch on Dexcom G7 earlier this year. Dexcom's Smart Food Logging feature encourages and enables users to log their meals more consistently. Stelo and Dexcom G7 users can now simply take a photo of their food in the app where AI will automatically identify the ingredients and populate the meal description. Dexcom G7 is the only prescription continuous glucose monitor in the U.S. to support photo logging 2,3. 'Diet plays a crucial role in managing glucose levels, and our new Smart Food Logging feature removes barriers to food tracking, making it easier to consistently log and understand the impact of meals,' said Jake Leach, president and chief operating officer at Dexcom. 'Smart Food Logging has long been a highly requested feature from users across our product portfolio, so we're excited to bring it to market and hope this enhanced tracking feature makes managing glucose levels even simpler.' The addition of Smart Food Logging is yet another demonstration of Dexcom's commitment to continued innovation and AI. This new feature joins other recently announced enhancements across Dexcom's glucose biosensing portfolio, including: Weekly Insights in Stelo: The first GenAI feature in Stelo, which offers users more personalized tips, recommendations, and education related to diet, exercise, and sleep that are contextualized within the Stelo app. Stelo integration with Oura: The first-ever integration of glucose biosensing data in the Oura app. When Stelo is synced with Oura, users have a holistic view of their body's biometrics, now including glucose. This integration empowers users to understand the impact of different health behaviors and work towards optimal metabolic health. Customizable target range in Dexcom G7: A new feature that enables users to adjust their glucose target ranges in Clarity Card within the Dexcom G7 app, beyond default settings – allowing for greater personalization across user groups. Glucose Impact in Dexcom G7 and Stelo: Glucose Impact offers a new focused view for logged events to see a clearer picture and gain a deeper understanding of how meals, activities, and sleep patterns affect your glucose levels. Stelo and Dexcom G7 users can now access the Smart Food Logging feature by updating to the latest version of the app on iOS and Android platforms. About DexCom, Inc. Dexcom empowers people to take control of health through innovative biosensing technology. Founded in 1999, Dexcom has pioneered and set the standard in glucose biosensing for more than 25 years. Its technology has transformed how people manage diabetes and track their glucose, helping them feel more in control and live more confidently. Dexcom. Discover what you're made of. For more information, visit Category: IR Freestyle Libre User Guides. 3 Based on Medtronic User Guides.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why This Beaten-Down Medical Device Stock Could Be Your Best Investment for the Next 5 Years
Key Points DexCom has barely scratched the surface of its niche in the diabetes market. As a result of industry challenges, the stock's valuation has now come down. But from here, the stock looks well-positioned to deliver excellent results. 10 stocks we like better than DexCom › Medical device specialist DexCom (NASDAQ: DXCM) has encountered significant headwinds in the past year. The company's financial results haven't been quite up to the market's standards, and broader market volatility caused by President Donald Trump's trade policies isn't helping either. The stock is down 26% over the trailing-12-month period. Yet even with all these challenges, DexCom could be a terrific performer in the next five years. Here's why. There's plenty of white space ahead DexCom markets continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, which are devices that help track blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes. CGMs have at least two advantages: They make measurements automatically, and they make them as often as every five minutes. Consistently monitoring blood glucose levels helps people with diabetes make better health decisions. That's why CGM devices lead to improved outcomes, including less time spent in hyperglycemia. DexCom has significantly increased its installed base over the years. In 2024, it had over 2.5 million customers worldwide. However, the company remains well-positioned to capitalize on a massive global opportunity. In the U.S., DexCom estimates that there are more than 4.5 million diabetes patients on insulin therapy who aren't on CGM yet despite being eligible for third-party coverage for the technology. And that's just the U.S., one of the more advanced countries in terms of CGM penetration. DexCom has typically targeted patients who use insulin, and third-party payers have been more willing to cover these populations. However, last year, it launched Stelo, an over-the-counter CGM option for diabetes patients who aren't on insulin and for people with prediabetes. This move significantly expanded the company's addressable market. CGM penetration in the U.S. for type 2 diabetes patients not on insulin is about 5%, and for prediabetes patients less than 1%. DexCom's opportunities both within and outside the U.S. are massive. The increased adoption of CGM technology has helped its revenue and earnings grow steadily over the past decade, and this trend is likely to continue. DexCom's shares declined last year due to poor financial results; in the U.S., more patients than the company expected took advantage of rebates, leading to lower-than-expected revenue per customer. However, since there's still plenty of work to be done in the CGM market, DexCom can address that issue as it continues to make even more headway in this field. That will allow its financial results to improve. Are DexCom's shares too expensive? The stock's forward price-to-earnings ratio was recently 41.5, much higher than the healthcare sector's average of 15.8. But that forward P/E is on the low end compared to DexCom's average over the past few years: The medical device specialist has historically had steep valuation metrics, but has delivered market-beating returns anyway. In my view, DexCom can do the same in the next five to 10 years. Investors might also be concerned about DexCom's main competitor in the CGM market, Abbott Laboratories. But these rivals have battled it out for years, and there's more than enough space for both to be successful, given the large worldwide CGM opportunity. Furthermore, DexCom benefits from a network effect, as multiple companies have developed devices for diabetes patients that are compatible with its technology; these include insulin pens and pumps, third-party apps, and the Apple Watch. The more DexCom's installed base increases, the more attractive its ecosystem becomes to device or app developers looking to target a large population of patients. And as these companies launch more technologies compatible with DexCom's CGM devices, they also become more appealing to patients. This dynamic makes it likely that DexCom will remain a leader in CGM well beyond the next five years. In the meantime, the stock could rebound from its poor performance last year, and deliver superior returns through the end of the decade. Do the experts think DexCom is a buy right now? The Motley Fool's expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They've just revealed their to buy now — did DexCom make the list? When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is up 1,048% vs. just 180% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 867.59%!* Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $652,133!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,056,790!* The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 15, 2025 Prosper Junior Bakiny has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Abbott Laboratories and Apple. The Motley Fool recommends DexCom and recommends the following options: long January 2027 $65 calls on DexCom and short January 2027 $75 calls on DexCom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why This Beaten-Down Medical Device Stock Could Be Your Best Investment for the Next 5 Years was originally published by The Motley Fool
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I'm a Fitness Editor, and I Tested the All-New Oura Ring Gen 4—Here's My Honest Review
Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. I'm a Fitness Editor, and I Tested the All-New Oura Ring Gen 4—Here's My Honest Review originally appeared on Parade. I've been wearing an Oura Ring since 2023, and ever since then, not a single day has passed where I don't look at my Oura Ring data (usually first thing in the morning when I wake up too). Sure, call me obsessed, but the longer I've used the Oura Ring, the more I want to learn about the data it tells me—and how to improve it. There's no denying that this accessory is more than a fitness tracker, it's a conversation starter, fashion statement and, once you experience the app and all the features, you quickly realize that it's way more than a fitness wearable. 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 So when I had the chance to upgrade my Oura Ring to the new Oura Ring Gen 4, I jumped at the opportunity to try it out. Plus, when I was a few weeks into testing the Oura Ring Gen 4, Oura rolled out its new Metabolic Health features which include new glucose monitoring and meal tracking features available in the app. Plus, there's a new integration with Dexcom Stelo, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that you can purchase without a doctor's prescription. So, naturally, I had to test that too. Below, my thoughts on the new Oura Ring, how it stacks up to the Gen 3 Oura Ring, plus what I thought about the new CGM integration. Related: I've been using the Oura 3 since July 2023, and got the new Oura Ring 4 in early May, so I tested the new ring for two full months. I also spoke with, Oura's Product Marketing Leader, to go over the new features and updates, and explain the new Dexcom CGM integration as well (I tried this new integration for about two weeks). When I first unboxed the new Oura Ring, I noticed a much sleeker design overall. I ended up ordering the same size ring that I wore previously for the Gen 3, and I did use the new sizing kit as recommended to double-check my size. But once I got the new Oura Ring 4, I noticed that the same size ring fit slightly looser on my finger. Although noticeable, it didn't bother me enough to order another size down (plus, I knew it's common for the fingers and hands to swell throughout the day/night). This was probably due to the new updates to the ring sensors, which used to slightly bulge out underneath the ring against your finger. But, the new Oura Ring 4 features recessed sensors that make the ring look and feel more sleek. According to Harrington, the new Gen 4 Oura Ring is made with all titanium material, and the previous model was made of a resin-like material and titanium. "The thing that's really neat about titanium is it's very durable and really hard as a material, but it is a very lightweight [material]," says Harrington. The titanium design is also part of how the team was able to make the ring's sensors recessed, nixing the little bumps and LED lights that were notable in the previous model. Related: The new ring also has a "smart sensing" technology that's supposed to provide more accurate data tracking due to its ability to fit each person's unique finger shape and skin. The new Oura Ring also has expanded size options, boosting ring size options for people with larger or smaller hands. "Oura Ring four is now available in sizes four through 15. That accounts for around 93% of people's hands on pearth," says Harrington. One of the things I love about the Oura Ring is the battery life. I usually only need to charge the ring about once a week, and now, the Oura Ring 4 has about an eight-day battery life. The new charger is also noticeably sleeker and easier to use. I wasn't a huge fan of the older charger, which I found a bit clunky and hard to place the ring in the right spot to new charging platform is a much-needed upgrade: It has a sturdier, easier-to-maneuver shape that makes charging the ring a breeze. It also charges fast, in about 20-80 minutes, per the brand's website. Oura Ring tracks over 30 different health metrics and wellness insights, including sleep, recovery, heart rate, heart rate variability, body temperature, stress and more. The brand has added 24 new product features in the last year or so, including Pregnancy Insights, Cardiovascular Age and Symptom Radar. The metrics I personally pay attention to the most are my Readiness Score, Sleep Score, Activity, Stress and Cycle Insights. Let's dive into how Oura calculates these below: According to Oura, your readiness score is a "holistic picture of your health" that encompasses your activity, workouts, sleep, metrics like your heart rate variability, body temperature and heart rate. Your score will range from 0-100, and I find it is usually pretty accurate in terms of how I'm feeling on a day-to-day basis. When I'm feeling refreshed, my scores hover in the 80s or above, and after a stressful day or night, poor sleep, or one too many drinks, my score will dip into the 60s or lower. Each day you get a sleep score that gives you a snapshot of your sleep quality, according to about seven different metrics that Oura tracks. This includes: total hours of sleep, "sleep efficiency," or how much time you actually spent asleep while in bed, your level of restfulness or how much you tossed and turned throughout the night, REM sleep, deep sleep, sleep timing (what time you went to sleep) plus your sleep latency or how long it takes you to fall asleep. Your activity score is a combination of your daily steps, how much you move around in general, and it also encompasses your workouts or fitness training. The score is a range from 0-100, and you get a daily score based on how active you (you can also input your own activity goals, which it will factor in). Throughout the day, Oura tracks your stress levels via several insights including your HRV, body temperature, heart rate and more. All of these signals give you a stress insight, which shows your stress levels throughout the day on a graph. One of the most notable developments I've seen with Oura Ring since I started using it years ago is the expanded women's health features. Oura Ring has an impressive cycle tracking feature that uses a combination of your personal data, body temperature and other algorithms to help you predict your cycle, ovulation and when your next period may the Oura cycle tracking feature is not approved by the FDA for contraception use, Oura does have an integration with Natural Cycles, which is approved by the FDA. Other women's health-focused apps that Oura can integrate or share data with, if you choose, are and Clue. Related: One of the buzziest launches of 2025 so far is Oura Ring's new metabolic insights feature, which integrates a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) from Dexcom called Stelo. While this feature is not exclusive to the new Oura Ring 4, I tested it simultaneously with the new ring. The Stelo is one of the first CGMs on the market that doesn't require a prescription from a doctor. The Stelo by Dexcom costs $99, and includes 2 sensors that last for about 15 days each. Oura also launched a new Meals feature that is powered by AI, and allows you to take photos of your meals and you get real time nutrition feedback from the Oura Advisor. This feature, paired with the glucose data, gives you a lot of interesting insights into how specific foods or meals may be affecting your blood sugar. While I found the Meals feature interesting (I feel pretty solid on my nutrition knowledge and what works for my body) the most useful feature for me was the glucose monitoring. I found the Stelo CGM very easy to wear and I barely noticed it after the first day or so (I applied it to my upper arm). Although I have used a CGM before, I loved how easy it was to pair the Stelo with the Oura Ring, and all of the data was integrated seamlessly into my Oura app. I was able to watch my blood sugar throughout the day and see when certain foods or beverages triggered a "spike" which is considered above 140. Although I did not get many "blood sugar spike" alerts from Oura, the first one was notable—a plain oatmilk latte from Starbucks. I was shocked that this prompted a spike, even over the chips I'd eaten the day before, or even a cocktail I had recently had with dinner. As someone who drinks a lot of coffee, seeing this data made me change my ways. Once I saw how oatmilk was affecting my blood sugar, I decided to drink lattes with whole or 2 percent milk to see how I felt (I had avoided drinking dairy for years) and was surprised to find that not only did I feel fine after drinking regular cappuccinos, but I didn't miss the sweet, creamy taste of oatmilk as much as I nutritionally speaking, I know that regular dairy milk is way more balanced in macros than oatmilk (it has a much better carbs to protein to fat ratio, and fewer weird additives.) This showed in my glucose readings, too. Honestly, this was the biggest change to my habits to come out of using Stelo—but it's a big one! (I can't tell you how many oatmilk lattes I downed in the past few years.) The new Oura Ring 4 is a sleeker, more optimized version of the previous model. Although I had no complaints about my old ring, I was happy to upgrade to the new version, and I definitely don't want to go back to the 3. If you're an Oura Ring fanatic like me, the upgrade is worth the price tag of around $349. If you're on the fence or haven't tried Oura yet, you can still purchase the Oura Ring 3 for about $100 way, you're getting a comprehensive health tracker with a ton of data and health insights, paired with a great user experience on the companion Oura Ring app. Up Next:Bryn Harrington, Oura's Product Marketing Leader I'm a Fitness Editor, and I Tested the All-New Oura Ring Gen 4—Here's My Honest Review first appeared on Parade on Jul 12, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
