Study Finds Human Sweat Can Reveal Health Issues Before Symptoms Appear - Video

Your smartwatch may soon do much more than track your steps-it could read your sweat to reveal your health. A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis suggests that sweat-sensing wearables powered by artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionize preventive healthcare, offering real-time insights into stress, metabolism, and even early signs of disease.

Sweat, often overlooked, contains a rich library of biological information. Unlike blood draws or urine tests, collecting sweat is painless, non-invasive, and continuous, making it ideal for daily monitoring. The new study, led by researchers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), explores how combining AI with advanced micro-sensors can decode this naturally produced fluid to detect biomarkers for conditions like diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and some cancers—possibly long before symptoms appear.

The researchers point out that recent progress in microfluidics, stretchable electronics, and wireless communication has made it possible to design thin, flexible patches that stick to the skin and continuously gather small amounts of sweat. AI systems analyze the chemical composition in real time, interpreting complex patterns in hormones, electrolytes, and metabolites to provide personalized, predictive health data.

According to co-author Dr. Dayanne Bordin, a UTS analytical chemist, these “smart wearables” could soon go beyond lifestyle tracking. For athletes, they could measure electrolyte losses or prove they are drug-free before competitions. For patients with diabetes, they might eventually monitor glucose levels through sweat instead of finger-prick blood tests.

Another UTS scientist, Dr. Janice McCauley, noted that the integration of AI is what makes this revolution possible. Modern machine learning algorithms can evaluate vast datasets of chemical and physiological signals, identifying subtle correlations between sweat chemistry and body function. The team is currently testing microfluidic tools capable of detecting ultra-low concentrations of key biomarkers like cortisol (the stress hormone) and glucose.

Though still in development, the researchers envision a future where your wearable patch can alert you to rising stress hormones, dehydration, or disease risk—long before you notice symptoms. In short, your body’s sweat could soon become its own health report, decoded by AI.

REFERENCE: Dayanne Mozaner Bordin, Janice Irene McCauley, Eduardo G. de Campos, David P. Bishop, Bruno Spinosa De Martinis. Sweat as a diagnostic biofluid: analytical advances and future directions. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis, 2025; 101473 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2025.101473