That late-night snack may be doing more damage than you think. Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) analyzed data from nearly 200,000 participants across three major nationwide studies and found that people who regularly ate after dinner or around bedtime had a 20%–30% higher risk of developing liver disease — including fatty liver disease (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) and cirrhosis — compared to those who avoided late-night eating. The findings were published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

The likely mechanism? Your liver's internal clock. The liver is highly sensitive to circadian rhythms, regulating nutrient processing, blood sugar, and energy storage. Eating when the body is biologically winding down for sleep may disrupt these processes, impairing metabolic efficiency and promoting fat accumulation over time — a pattern also observed in night shift workers.

By the Numbers:

• ~200,000 participants studied across three major cohorts
• 20%–30% higher risk of liver disease in late-night eaters
• Fatty liver disease affects up to 30% of the U.S. population

Why it matters: This study adds to growing evidence that when you eat matters as much as what you eat. For the roughly 30% of Americans with fatty liver disease, shifting meal timing earlier — without overhauling diet — could be a practical, low-barrier intervention worth exploring.