How to Measure & Manage Antioxidants for Healthy Aging with Galaxy Watch8 | Feat. Prof. Hyojee Joung

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The Era of Healthy Aging: Can a Smartwatch Really Measure Your Antioxidant Levels? 🤔

Feeling constantly drained? Believe it or not, your diet might be the culprit. Aging isn’t a one-way street; the speed at which we age is heavily influenced by what we eat and how we live. And that’s precisely why “healthy aging” is taking center stage.

Antioxidants, those tiny but mighty warriors, are key players in this game. They combat those pesky free radicals, protecting our bodies from oxidative stress – a major contributor to aging. Now, Samsung has thrown a curveball with the Galaxy Watch8 series, introducing the Antioxidant Index. This is the first smartwatch feature designed to estimate your body’s antioxidant status, potentially revolutionizing how we monitor our health. But is it accurate? And more importantly, is it useful?

To get the inside scoop, Samsung Newsroom chatted with Professor Hyojee Joung of Seoul National University (SNU), a leading expert in nutrition and President of the Korean Nutrition Society. Professor Joung played a pivotal role in the development and validation of this groundbreaking feature. Let’s dive into why antioxidant care matters and how this new technology aims to help.

â–˛ Hyojee Joung

Why Antioxidant Care is Non-Negotiable

Ever ask yourself, “Why am I always so tired?” The answer might lie in free radicals. These are natural byproducts of energy production, but here’s the catch: unhealthy habits send them into overdrive. “Smoking, excessive alcohol, a poor diet, sun exposure, and constant stress all contribute to free radical overproduction, leading to oxidative stress and accelerating the aging process,” explains Professor Joung.

That persistent fatigue? It could be a red flag signaling an overload of free radicals. “They can weaken your immune system, make you feel constantly tired, and even speed up visible signs of aging like wrinkles and pigmentation,” Joung warns. And this is the part most people miss: “As oxidative stress builds up over time, it significantly increases your risk of developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. That’s why managing your antioxidant levels is absolutely essential.”

â–˛ Excessive free radicals from an unhealthy lifestyle can raise the risk of chronic disease.

Professor Joung emphasizes that antioxidant capacity isn’t about age or fitness level – it’s a lifelong commitment. Your best starting point? Load up on fruits and vegetables every day. These colorful foods are packed with antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamins C and E. As we age, our body’s natural production of antioxidant enzymes declines. Therefore, a diet rich in antioxidants provides the crucial foundation for long-term health. For example, incorporating berries, spinach, and nuts into your daily meals can significantly boost your antioxidant intake.

But here’s where it gets controversial… Is it truly feasible to consistently eat a perfectly balanced diet? Most people struggle to objectively assess if their daily food intake is truly providing the right nutrients. This is where the Galaxy Watch8 series and its Antioxidant Index step in, aiming to bridge that gap.

Tracking Antioxidant Levels with the Galaxy Watch8 Series: A Game Changer?

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I eating healthy enough?”, Samsung Health is now offering a potentially quick and easy answer. The Galaxy Watch8 series, using its rear sensors, measures an Antioxidant Index based on the carotenoid levels in your skin. This supposedly gives you an estimate of your fruit and vegetable intake in just seconds. But how does it work?

“Carotenoids are the pigments that give fruits and vegetables their vibrant red, yellow, and green colors,” Professor Joung explains. “Since our bodies can’t produce them on their own, the level of carotenoids in our skin directly reflects our dietary intake.”

The Galaxy Watch8 series utilizes a technology called reflection spectroscopy. It shines a specific wavelength of light onto your skin, and carotenoids absorb some of that light while reflecting the rest. By analyzing the reflected light, the device estimates the carotenoid levels present. Think of it like shining a flashlight on a colorful object; the object absorbs some of the light and reflects the rest, creating the color we see.

Previously, measuring antioxidant levels required blood samples and complex lab analysis – a far cry from the convenience offered by this smartwatch. Now, users simply place a thumb on the back sensor for five seconds and instantly see their results displayed. Results are categorized based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) daily recommendation of 400 grams of fruits and vegetables:

  • Very low: Less than 50% of the recommended intake
  • Low: 50% to less than 100% of the recommended intake
  • Adequate: 100% or more of the recommended intake

â–˛ Joung measures her Antioxidant Index with Galaxy Watch8 Classic.

Professor Joung clarifies that while the Antioxidant Index doesn’t capture the entire antioxidant capacity of your body, it provides a meaningful snapshot of your daily antioxidant status by reflecting carotenoid intake from fruits and vegetables – major players in strengthening your body’s antioxidant defenses. In other words, it’s not a complete picture, but it’s a helpful indicator.

Antioxidant Index: A Reliable and Validated Health Indicator? Or Just a Gimmick?

The Galaxy Watch8 series marks the first time a smartwatch has attempted to measure antioxidant levels, representing a significant breakthrough that’s been years in the making. Samsung began collaborating with Professor Joung and her team back in 2018, exploring how this technology could be effectively integrated into wearable devices. But is it actually accurate?

A dietary intervention study conducted by the Graduate School of Public Health at SNU provided crucial validation. The study demonstrated that skin carotenoid levels reliably reflect fruit and vegetable intake. “Over a six-week period, we provided meals with varying carotenoid content to 80 participants and observed that their skin carotenoid levels increased within one to two weeks,” Joung explains.

â–˛ Results from a dietary intervention study with 80 participants at SNU

When users measure their Antioxidant Index, the Samsung Health app provides personalized feedback like “Have one more tomato today” or “Try 50 grams of pumpkin.” These recommendations are based on insights provided by Professor Joung’s team. “It’s crucial to present dietary guidance in a way that users can easily understand,” she explains. “We created the foundational data that trained an algorithm to tailor suggestions to individual preferences.”

The research team is committed to continuously refining the feature to deliver even more accurate insights and support more effective antioxidant management. The goal is to make it a truly valuable tool for improving health.

Pro Tips for Maximizing the Antioxidant Index

Professor Joung shares four key tips for getting the most out of the Galaxy Watch8 series’ Antioxidant Index:

â‘  Consistency is Key: Don’t sweat the daily fluctuations. Unlike blood glucose levels, Antioxidant Index doesn’t change overnight. Eating more fruit for a day or two won’t drastically change your score. With consistent healthy habits, improvements typically appear after one to two weeks. Alcohol, intense exercise, and stress can cause temporary dips, but levels usually rebound. Focus on making small, sustainable changes to your diet.

② Measure Consistently: For accurate readings, measure your Antioxidant Index at the same time each day (e.g., after waking up, before bed, or after lunch) and always use the same finger, such as your right or left thumb. This minimizes variations caused by external factors.

③ Context is Everything: Antioxidant levels are influenced not only by diet but also by sleep and stress levels. Review your Antioxidant Index alongside other Samsung Health indicators like sleep quality and stress data for a more holistic view of your overall health.

â‘Ł Embrace Variety: To reach the WHO’s recommended 400 grams of fruits and vegetables per day, incorporate a rainbow of colors into your diet, including tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. A wider variety of colors translates to a broader spectrum of antioxidant benefits, even if the total quantity remains the same. Think beyond just apples and bananas; explore exotic fruits and leafy greens!

Small Steps, Big Changes: The Bottom Line

“Whenever I meet someone, I encourage them to try the Antioxidant Index. It’s fascinating to see their surprise at how quickly the results appear,” says Professor Joung, a Galaxy Watch8 Classic user herself. “The ability to get an instant reading is a huge advantage.”

“Many people are interested in managing their antioxidant levels for disease prevention and healthy aging, but there hasn’t been a straightforward way to track their progress,” she continues. “The Antioxidant Index not only provides insights into whether fruit and vegetable intake is sufficient but also raises awareness about the importance of antioxidants in general – and that alone is incredibly valuable.”

“What truly matters is consistency, not perfection. Even small steps, like adding just one serving of fruits or vegetables to your daily meals, can lead to meaningful changes over time,” Professor Joung emphasizes. “I’m truly delighted to see such an innovative feature come to life before I retire.”

The Antioxidant Index delivers results in just five seconds – a simple step towards a healthier you. But does it truly deliver on its promises? That’s for you to decide.

Now it’s your turn to chime in! Do you think this technology is a game-changer or just another health gimmick? Will you purchase the Galaxy Watch8 series to test the Antioxidant Index? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

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