One Common Eating Habit Is Linked to Higher Risk of 2 Liver Diseases
A long-term study of nearly 200,000 individuals has linked late-night snacking to an increased risk of cirrhosis and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Researchers suggest that eating outside of standard hours may disrupt the liver's circadian rhythms.
Why it matters
Understanding the impact of meal timing on metabolic health offers a non-dietary intervention strategy for preventing chronic liver conditions.
It may be time to rethink those late-night raids on the fridge or the cookie and chip cupboard: A new study has linked out-of-hours snacking with two types of liver disease, cirrhosis and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
Published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology , the comprehensive study analyzes data from 199,155 individuals, with a median age of 59. Participants are enrolled in ongoing health research and complete food and lifestyle questionnaires every 2–4 years.
The authors of the new study, from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and Massachusetts General Hospital, found a 28 percent higher risk of cirrhosis and a 36 percent higher risk of MASLD among late-night eaters compared to those with more standard eating times.
Late-night eating was defined as eating "after bedtime" or "between dinner and bedtime."
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