Late-night snacking increases risk of liver disease, study reveals

A recent study has revealed that regularly snacking late at night may be associated with an increased risk of serious liver diseases.

According to The Independent, researchers analyzed data from nearly 200,000 adults in the United States and found that individuals who snack after dinner have a 20% to 30% higher likelihood of developing two types of liver disease: cirrhosis and fatty liver disease.

These two conditions are among the most common forms of liver disease and can progress to serious complications, including cancer.

Researchers suggest that the potential reason for the link between nighttime snacking and liver problems may be related to the body’s circadian rhythm, the internal system that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and many vital functions.

Andrew McHill, the study’s lead author and an associate professor specializing in sleep and circadian rhythms at Oregon Health and Science University, said, “We repeatedly observe that the timing of behaviors—whether related to sleep, eating, or exercise—has significant importance and a major impact on health.”

These findings come as other research indicates that working at night may disrupt the circadian rhythm, and that such disruption may be linked to changes in genes. Rates of obesity and heart disease are also higher among night-shift workers, a result that Harvard University researchers have attributed to a misalignment between the body’s internal clock and usual sleep and eating schedules.

McHill explained that eating at night reduces the body’s ability to process food efficiently through metabolic processes. Meanwhile, Dr. Robert Wiltschansky, who also participated in the study, noted that the liver “is highly synchronized with the body’s circadian rhythms.”

The risk of liver disease is not limited to meal timing alone. Previous studies have linked the consumption of sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods, such as sweet biscuits and potato chips, to an increased risk of liver disease.

Liver diseases vary, and some cases may occur without obvious symptoms. However, symptoms of cirrhosis may include fatigue, loss of appetite, decreased libido, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itching, nausea, or vomiting.

Despite these findings, researchers emphasized the need for further studies to better understand the nature of the relationship between the timing of food intake and liver disease.