Oregon Health Science University Study Links Late-Night Eating to Increased Liver Disease Risk
A new study conducted by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) researchers has identified a potential link between eating late at night and a higher risk of liver disease. The study, which analyzed dietary and lifestyle information from nearly 200,000 adults across three major long-term studies, found that individuals who reported eating after dinner or close to bedtime had approximately 20% to 30% higher rates of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, commonly known as fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis. This research challenges the conventional focus solely on food choices and portion sizes, suggesting that the timing of food intake also plays a significant role in liver health. Robert Wilechansky, MD, an OHSU hepatologist and lead author of the study, noted that the liver is closely tied to the body's circadian rhythms, and eating when the body's internal clock is preparing for sleep may disrupt normal metabolic processes. Co-author Andrew McHill, PhD, a sleep and circadian physio...
