Health · Medical Research · 3 hrs ago
Late-night snacking linked to higher rates of liver disease in a large study
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University linked late-night eating to higher rates of liver disease among nearly 200,000 U.S. adults.
People who ate after dinner or after going to bed had rates 20% to 30% higher than those who did not.
The team analyzed three long-running health studies, using participants’ own reports of their eating habits and health.
The conditions studied included fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, which involves permanent scarring of the liver.
Fatty liver disease is common in the United States and can have no obvious symptoms, while cirrhosis can lead to liver cancer.
The study found an association, not proof that late eating causes liver disease, and other factors may help explain the link.
A follow-up study will test whether eating earlier helps, without changing what people eat.
A study of nearly 200,000 U.S. adults found that people who ate after dinner or bedtime had a 20 to 30 percent higher rate of liver disease.
The conditions examined included metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, and cirrhosis.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University said the study found an association, but could not prove that late-night eating caused liver disease.
Participants reported their own eating and lifestyle habits, and researchers compared those reports with cases of liver disease.
A follow-up study at the university will test whether eating earlier helps.
- Who
- Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University analyzed data from nearly 200,000 U.S. adults.
- What
- The study linked eating after dinner or bedtime with a 20 to 30 percent higher rate of liver disease.
- When
- OHSU announced the results on October 9, 2026. The study period is not stated.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- Researchers investigated whether late-night eating was associated with liver problems, including fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Nurses’ Health Study was established.
The Health Professionals Follow-up Study was launched.
OHSU announced the study results.
A follow-up study at OHSU will test whether eating earlier helps.
- Study size
- Nearly 200,000 U.S. adults
- Association
- 20 to 30 percent higher rate of liver disease among people who ate after dinner or bedtime
- Conditions examined
- MASLD and cirrhosis
- Research institution
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Study design
- Observational, using participant-reported eating and lifestyle habits
What people are saying
A few studies have hinted at this idea, but this is among the first long-term analyses to explicitly draw the connection to fatty liver disease
So we’re interested in changing the timing of eating in a way that could make a difference in health, without changing the composition of what people eat.
We are seeing over and over again that the timing of behaviors, whether it’s sleep, eating or exercise, really matters