Why Non-Diabetics Are Using Continuous Glucose Monitors?

By Dr. Chinta SidharthanReviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLM

What Are CGMs and How Do They Work?
Why Non-Diabetics Are Embracing CGMs
Commercial Drivers and Technology Startups
Scientific Evidence: Are CGMs Useful for the Healthy?
Industry Outlook and Future Applications
Glucose Monitoring: Friend or Fad?

Did you know that even a healthy person’s blood sugar can spike to levels typically associated with prediabetes just from eating a carbohydrate-rich meal?¹ Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are revealing surprising metabolic insights, and now, non-diabetics are using them to optimize their health like never before.

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CGMs were initially designed for diabetes management but are increasingly being used by non-diabetic individuals seeking real-time metabolic insights. Interests in athletic performance optimization, weight management, and early metabolic health monitoring drive this trend.²

However, emerging health-tech startups are also capitalizing on this interest, which makes these CGMs easily available but also raises regulatory and medical concerns about the appropriateness of CGM use in healthy individuals.

This article explores the scientific validity of non-diabetic CGM use, the commercial landscape, and the future implications of widespread CGM use in health technology.

What Are CGMs and How Do They Work?

CGMs are wearable biosensors that measure glucose levels continuously in the interstitial fluid. Unlike traditional blood glucose monitoring, CGMs provide real-time data and glucose trend patterns, enabling users to track fluctuations due to diet, exercise, and stress.²

Most CGMs function through a small subcutaneous sensor that transmits glucose readings to a paired electronic device, offering insights without the need for frequent finger-prick tests.³

Recent advancements have led to the development of over-the-counter CGMs, such as the Dexcom Stelo and Abbott Lingo, broadening their accessibility to the general public.⁴

These devices now offer improved accuracy, longer wear durations, and integration with smartphone applications, enhancing user convenience and data tracking. Additionally, CGM technology continues to improve, with sensors becoming smaller, more accurate, and less invasive, making them more appealing to a broader audience.

Some CGM models now incorporate predictive analytics, alerting users to potential glucose fluctuations before they occur. This proactive approach allows individuals to make timely adjustments to their diet or activity levels, further enhancing the utility of CGMs in health optimization.⁵

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Why Non-Diabetics Are Embracing CGMs

While CGMs are undeniably a game-changer for people living with diabetes, several key motivations are also driving the adoption of CGMs among individuals without diabetes.

Athletic Performance and Biohacking

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts are increasingly using CGMs to optimize their physical performance by tracking glucose stability during exercise. Studies indicate that glucose fluctuations can affect endurance and recovery, and real-time monitoring helps tailor nutritional strategies.⁶

Moreover, personalized insights into glucose responses to different macronutrients also allow athletes to avoid energy crashes and optimize fueling strategies.

Some elite athletes incorporate CGM data to refine carbohydrate intake timing, ensuring stable energy levels throughout training and competition.⁶

Weight Management and Personalized Nutrition

Data obtained from CGMs on postprandial glucose responses are also influencing dietary choices to minimize glycemic spikes. This approach is often marketed as a strategy for preventing metabolic disorders, although the scientific validation for the process remains limited.^1,7

Some users adopt low-glycemic diets based on CGM feedback, although concerns exist regarding the potential for unnecessary food restrictions.

However, the ability to observe real-time glucose fluctuations also allows users to experiment with different meal compositions to identify the most effective dietary approach for maintaining stable energy levels.⁷

Early Detection of Metabolic Dysregulation

Some consumers use CGMs to identify early signs of insulin resistance or prediabetes. By monitoring long-term glucose patterns, individuals may identify irregular trends that could prompt earlier lifestyle interventions, potentially delaying or preventing metabolic disorders.⁸

Emerging research also indicates that excessive postprandial glucose fluctuations, even in non-diabetic individuals, may be associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction over time.

Monitoring these fluctuations with CGMs allows for a proactive approach to metabolic health by helping individuals recognize trends that could indicate reduced glucose tolerance.^1,8

Stress and Sleep Monitoring

CGM data can also reveal how stress and sleep deprivation impact glucose levels. Studies indicate that chronic stress and poor sleep can contribute to dysregulated glucose metabolism, making CGM feedback a tool for lifestyle modification.⁶

Nighttime glucose fluctuations have been linked to hormonal imbalances and poor recovery, and individuals using CGMs may adjust their sleep hygiene and stress management techniques accordingly.

Additionally, some individuals are using CGMs in conjunction with wearable fitness trackers to correlate glucose fluctuations with sleep patterns, physical activity, and heart rate variability.

This integration offers a more comprehensive view of how lifestyle factors interact with glucose metabolism, supporting targeted interventions to optimize overall well-being.⁵

Commercial Drivers and Technology Startups

With the growing interest in CGMS, especially from a larger consumer base consisting of athletes and fitness enthusiasts, various companies such as Dexcom, and startups such as Levels, Veri, and Nutrisense have invested funds and resources in developing over-the-counter (OTC) CGMS.

The first OTC CGM, the Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor System, was approved by the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2024.

However, the device is cleared for use only among individuals above the age of 18 who are not suffering from problematic low-sugar conditions or are using insulin to treat diabetes since it is not programmed to send alerts if the blood sugar levels are dangerously low or high.⁴

This recent FDA approval of OTC CGMs marks a significant shift, enabling broader accessibility while raising concerns about the potential for medical misinformation and unnecessary medicalization of normal glucose fluctuations.⁴

Some experts also caution that CGMs should not replace standard diagnostic tools for metabolic health, emphasizing the need for appropriate consumer education and regulatory oversight.

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Scientific Evidence: Are CGMs Useful for the Healthy?

Despite widespread enthusiasm, the clinical utility of CGMs in non-diabetic individuals remains controversial.⁷

Several studies have explored their effectiveness across factors such as normal glucose variability, the lack of predictive value in CGM data, and its potential to cause unnecessary anxiety.

Research indicates that transient glucose spikes in healthy individuals are common and not necessarily indicative of metabolic dysfunction.⁷

Individualized responses to different foods vary widely, complicating the use of CGMs for standardized dietary recommendations.

Additionally, there is insufficient evidence linking CGM-derived metrics in healthy individuals to long-term health outcomes.⁸ Scientists believe that without extensive longitudinal studies, CGM data interpretation remains largely speculative.

Moreover, some users often misinterpret normal glucose fluctuations as problematic, leading to restrictive eating behaviors and unwarranted concerns about glucose control.⁷ The psychological impact of constantly monitoring glucose data may lead to orthorexia or excessive dietary rigidity.

While CGMs provide valuable data for diabetics, the medical community remains cautious about their use in healthy individuals due to the lack of robust evidence supporting their benefits outside of diabetes management.

Industry Outlook and Future Applications

However, despite concerns, the CGM market is rapidly evolving, with several key trends shaping its future, including its integration with wearable devices and the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven insights.

The convergence of CGMs with smartwatches and fitness trackers may enhance their usability and provide multi-metric health insights.² Devices that combine glucose monitoring with heart rate variability and sleep tracking could also offer a more holistic view of metabolic health.

Furthermore, advanced algorithms may improve CGM data interpretation, offering personalized recommendations for metabolic health.³

Machine learning applications could refine glucose response predictions, leading to more actionable insights for users.⁵

As CGMs become mainstream among non-diabetic users, regulatory bodies may impose stricter guidelines on their marketing and usage.⁴

The medical community has also called for clearer guidance on CGM applicability in non-diabetic populations to avoid misinterpretation of glucose data.

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Glucose Monitoring: Friend or Fad?

To conclude, the increasing use of CGMs by non-diabetics reflects the growing interest in personalized health tracking. However, while CGMs provide metabolic insights, their clinical utility in healthy individuals remains unproven.

Moreover, emerging startups investing in CGM development and OTC availability are driving commercial growth. Still, regulatory oversight and further scientific research are needed to validate the benefits of CGMs for the general population.

Current findings indicate that the future of CGM technology lies in integrating it with broader digital health ecosystems to provide more comprehensive, evidence-based metabolic health solutions.

References

1. Jarvis, P. R. E., Cardin, J. L., Nisevich-Bede, P. M., & McCarter, J. P. (2023). Continuous glucose monitoring in a healthy population: understanding the post-prandial glycemic response in individuals without diabetes mellitus. Metabolism: clinical and experimental, 146, 155640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155640

1. Johnston, L., Wang, G., Hu, K., Qian, C., & Liu, G. (2021). Advances in Biosensors for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Towards Wearables. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 9, 733810. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2021.733810
2. Min, S., Geng, H., He, Y., Xu, T., Liu, Q., & Zhang, X. (2025). Minimally and non-invasive glucose monitoring: the road toward commercialization. Sensors & Diagnostics. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SD00360H
3. Lee, C. H., & Naik, R. G. (2025). The Role of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in People without Diabetes: A US Perspective. Chronicle of diabetes research and practice, 4(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.4103/cdrp.cdrp_16_24
4. Oganesova, Z., Pemberton, J., & Brown, A. (2024). Innovative solution or cause for concern? The use of continuous glucose monitors in people not living with diabetes: A narrative review. Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association, 41(9), e15369. https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.15369
5. Holzer, R., Bloch, W., & Brinkmann, C. (2022). Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Healthy Adults-Possible Applications in Health Care, Wellness, and Sports. Sensors, 22(5), 2030. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22052030
6. Guess, N. (2023), The growing use of continuous glucose monitors in people without diabetes: an evidence-free zone. Practical diabetes, 40: 19-22a. https://doi.org/10.1002/pdi.2475
7. Klonoff, D. C., Nguyen, K. T., Xu, N. Y., Gutierrez, A., Espinoza, J. C., & Vidmar, A. P. (2023). Use of Continuous Glucose Monitors by People Without Diabetes: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?. Journal of diabetes science and technology, 17(6), 1686–1697. https://doi.org/10.1177/19322968221110830