A recent study from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) reveals that the habit of eating late at night raises the risk of liver disease by 20 to 30 percent. The conclusion stems from an analysis of data involving nearly 200,000 participants drawn from three large national studies, including the Nurses’ Health Studies. The study’s authors also noted that restricting calorie intake a few hours before bedtime may be beneficial, prompting the initiation of a new clinical trial aimed at advancing mealtimes.
October 17, Kathmandu – New research indicates that late-night snacking or consuming excess calories late at night can have serious adverse effects on liver health. Researchers at OHSU discovered that regularly eating late at night significantly increases the likelihood of developing liver disease. The study highlights the crucial role mealtime plays in maintaining liver health.
Published in the Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology journal, the research finds that individuals who habitually eat late at night or around bedtime have a 20 to 30 percent higher risk of liver disease compared to those who avoid late-night eating. The illnesses studied include fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, which can cause severe liver damage.
To delve into this relationship, the researchers examined data from three major nationwide studies: the Nurses’ Health Study, Nurses’ Health Study II, and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. These datasets encompass detailed information about eating habits, daily routines, and lifestyle factors from approximately 200,000 participants. Participants were categorized based on typical meal times and cross-referenced with reports of fatty liver and cirrhosis.
The findings clearly demonstrate that late-night eaters have a 20 to 30 percent increased risk of liver disease. In the United States, over 30 percent of the population suffers from fatty liver disease, which occurs when excessive fat builds up in the liver. This can lead to inflammation, liver damage, and eventually cirrhosis. However, most people with fatty liver do not suffer serious liver damage, largely due to the body’s internal biological clock, or circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep, metabolism, and other vital processes.
The liver plays a critical role in nutrient processing, blood sugar control, and energy storage and usage. Eating when the body is biologically preparing for sleep disrupts these functions. Moreover, the higher prevalence of obesity and heart disease among night-shift workers suggests that irregular eating patterns contribute to metabolic disorders.
Andrew McHill, an OHSU professor specializing in sleep and circadian physiology and co-author of the study, stated, “We consistently observe how timing for activities like sleep, eating, or exercise is very important. When you eat during the time your internal clock signals for sleep, your body cannot efficiently process the food, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and impaired liver health.”
Although this observational study does not establish direct cause and effect, it suggests that adjusting meal timing—without altering diet quality—could improve liver health. Lead author and hepatology specialist Dr. Robert Vilechansky commented, “The key takeaway is that limiting calorie intake a few hours before bedtime may have beneficial effects.” To explore this further, the researchers have launched a clinical trial to observe how advancing meal times impacts patients with fatty liver disease.
