There's something comforting about curling up on the couch with your favorite show and a little snack before bed. But while that evening treat might make you happy, your liver may feel differently. A large study suggests that eating late at night is associated with a higher risk of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, raising questions about whether when you eat matters just as much as what's on your plate.
Researchers followed data from more than 199,000 adults over an average of 16 years and found that those who ate after dinner or before bed had a 36% higher risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, formerly called fatty liver disease, and a 28% higher risk of cirrhosis. One possible explanation involves your body's internal clock. Your liver follows a daily rhythm that helps regulate how nutrients are processed and stored, and eating when your body is preparing for sleep may interfere with those processes.
Although the study doesn't prove late-night eating causes liver disease, it offers another reason to pay attention to your evening routine. Researchers haven't established an ideal cutoff time for eating, but avoiding large meals close to bedtime may be a reasonable habit to consider. A balanced diet, regular physical activity and limiting sugary drinks can also help support liver health. And if you occasionally enjoy a nighttime snack, there's no need to panic. What matters most is building healthy habits you can maintain over time.
SOURCE:
Every Day Health, October 9, 2026