Late-night eating linked to 30% higher liver disease risk, study finds

An observational study of about 200,000 US adults linked late-night eating to a 20–30% higher risk of liver disease, including fatty liver and cirrhosis.

• Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University published the findings October 9 in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
• The study found late-night eating associated with up to a 30% higher risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and cirrhosis.
• The association persisted after participants lost weight, suggesting the body's nighttime metabolic changes play a role, researchers said.
• Lead author Dr. Robert Wilshansky said reducing calorie intake to several hours before sleep may benefit liver health.