The Next Byte

253. This Breathalyzer Tells You When You're Burning Fat

Episode Summary

In this episode, we explore how researchers at ETH Zurich developed a handheld breathalyzer that measures when your body is burning fat instead of carbohydrates, without requiring a blood test. By detecting tiny amounts of acetone in exhaled air with near-laboratory accuracy, this smartphone-connected device could transform how we monitor metabolism, personalize diets, and track the effectiveness of weight loss and medical treatments.

Episode Notes

This episode was brought to you by Mouser, our go-to source for electronics parts for any hobby or prototype. Click HERE to learn about the health signals that you are missing out on every time you flush the toilet and how advanced toilets are making sure you don’t!