New research adds to evidence that late-night eating may harm the liver. A study highlighted by MedPage Today found that people who regularly ate after dinner or at bedtime had a 28% increased risk for liver cirrhosis and a 36% higher risk for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The findings appeared in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, according to MedPage Today.
A separate report from ScienceDaily, covering the same research led by Oregon Health & Science University, says the analysis of nearly 200,000 people found a 20% to 30% higher risk of liver disease. The two write-ups agree on the general association, with the first giving separate estimates for cirrhosis and MASLD and the second offering an overall risk range.
These are observational findings and do not prove that late-night eating directly causes liver damage. But they suggest that meal timing may be relevant alongside other metabolic risk factors. Further research would be needed to clarify whether changing eating schedules could lower the risk.