That late-night snack after dinner may be doing more than adding calories. A large new study from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has found that people who regularly eat after dinner or close to bedtime have a 20% to 30% higher risk of liver disease than those who avoid late eating.
The findings, published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, add to growing evidence that when we eat may matter for our health, not just what we eat.
What the study looked at
Researchers from OHSU and Massachusetts General Hospital analysed data from nearly 200,000 participants in three long-running US studies: the Nurses' Health Study, the Nurses' Health Study II and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
Participants reported when they usually ate, along with other lifestyle habits. The team then grouped people by their eating times and compared how often each group developed two liver conditions:
- MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease), better known as fatty liver disease, where excess fat builds up in the liver
- Cirrhosis, serious scarring of the liver
The key finding
People who regularly ate after dinner or around bedtime had a 20% to 30% higher risk of these liver conditions than people who did not. Lead author Dr Robert M. Wilechansky, a hepatologist at OHSU, said this is "among the first long-term analyses to explicitly draw the connection to fatty liver disease."
Why eating late might affect the liver
The researchers point to the body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm. The liver follows a daily cycle in how it processes nutrients, manages blood sugar and stores energy. When we eat as the body is winding down for sleep, that cycle may be disrupted.
Animal studies have already suggested that the liver is especially sensitive to irregular eating and sleep timing. Co-author Andrew McHill, who studies sleep and circadian physiology at OHSU, put it simply: "the timing of behaviors, whether it's sleep, eating, or exercise, really matters."
Important caveats
This was an observational study, which means it shows a link, not proof that late eating causes liver disease. A few limitations are worth keeping in mind:
- Eating habits were self-reported, and the timing categories were fairly broad, with no exact clock times.
- Other factors, such as overall diet, sleep patterns or shift work, could partly explain the link.
- Most people with fatty liver disease never develop advanced scarring; only a small share progress to cirrhosis.
To test the idea more directly, OHSU is now recruiting for a clinical study that will monitor meal timing and check whether eating earlier improves liver health in people who already have fatty liver disease.
Why this matters
Fatty liver disease is very common. It affects up to 30% of the US population, and it is also widespread in India, where late dinners, night shifts and post-dinner snacking are part of daily life for many families. Because it often causes no symptoms in its early stages, many people do not know they have it.
One encouraging point the researchers make is that changing when you eat may be easier for some people than overhauling what they eat.
Simple habits to consider
The researchers stress that more evidence is needed, but Dr Wilechansky suggested that "confining your calorie intake to several hours before bedtime might be beneficial." Practical ways to try this include:
- Aim to finish dinner a few hours before you go to bed.
- Avoid habitual after-dinner snacking, especially sweets and fried foods.
- If you are hungry late, choose something light and small.
- Keep regular meal and sleep times, even on weekends.
- Ask your doctor about liver tests if you have risk factors such as excess weight, diabetes or high cholesterol.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Source: ScienceDaily / Oregon Health & Science University; Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2026), DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2026.09.047.
