Launching at the beginning of October, the pocket-sized Ketoscan Mini device works by measuring the concentration of ketones (acetone) in exhaled breath.
Retailing at £179, the device is claimed to reveal the speed at which the body is burning fat, allowing users to perfect and personalise food and exercise plans.
Suzannah Robin, director at AlcoDigital Ltd, tells NutraIngredients that other ketone breathalysers have been created but they have never offered the mix of accuracy, affordability or portability that Ketoscan Mini offers.
With Google searches for ‘keto’ up 139% in June 2019 compared with the same period in 2018, Robin says this device will appeal to a wide range of consumers, from weight watchers to endurance athletes.
“With the rapid increase in the popularity of the keto diet, the Ketoscan Mini will help those new to the keto diet, or those already following a keto lifestyle, along with athletes, to enhance and personalise their diet plans and exercise programmes to ensure they are achieving the best possible ketosis state for their needs,” she explains.
She explains how this device differs from the traditional ketosis analysers which tend to use urine or blood sampling.
“Urine testing is not necessarily as reliable as breath testing because you are showing what your status was about two to three hours previously when that urine was being produced.
“Blood testing is the most accurate way to test for ketosis but it’s more painful, both physically, and on the pocket, as they average out at about £2 per test.”
The cartridge design allows the device to be used over and over with only the cartridge requiring replacement after 300 tests (less than 13p per test).
Bluetooth connectivity means the Ketoscan Mini can be linked to the Ketoscan mobile app and it also syncs with iOS Health, Google Fit and Samsung Health. Readings are tracked instantly, allowing users to monitor progress and perfect nutrition and exercise plans.