Research from Oregon Health & Science University indicates that late-night eating may negatively impact liver health. The upcoming study, to be published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, highlights a correlation between late-night eating—defined as eating after dinner or after bedtime—and increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and cirrhosis.
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Lead author Dr. Robert Wilechansky, a hepatologist at OHSU, noted that while previous studies have tied late-night snacking to heart disease and obesity, this analysis specifically links it to liver conditions. He emphasized the importance of aligning eating patterns with the body’s circadian rhythms to potentially mitigate the risk of liver disease.
The researchers examined data from three large nationwide datasets: the Nurses’ Health Study, Nurses’ Health Study II, and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. They reviewed self-reported dietary and lifestyle habits from nearly 200,000 participants and found that those who reported late-night eating had a 20% to 30% increased risk of liver disease compared to those who did not.
Wilechansky remarked that while not all individuals with fatty liver disease progress to serious conditions like cirrhosis, limiting calorie intake several hours before bedtime might provide health benefits.
Co-author Dr. Andrew McHill emphasized that the timing of behaviors such as eating, sleep, and exercise significantly affects overall health. He noted that previous animal studies show the liver is particularly vulnerable to timing misalignment.
While the current study is observational and relies on self-reported data, it paves the way for further research. Wilechansky is involved in a clinical trial at OHSU aimed at monitoring eating behaviors and assessing whether earlier eating can improve fatty liver disease metrics.
The study was supported by the American Association of the Study of Liver Diseases Foundation.