A large prospective cohort analysis links habitual eating after dinner or after bedtime with a higher later risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and cirrhosis. The finding is an association—not proof that late eating causes liver disease.
What changed
Researchers combined self-reported diet and lifestyle data from the Nurses’ Health Study, Nurses’ Health Study II and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Nearly 200,000 U.S. adults were followed over time. Compared with participants who did not report late-night eating, those who did had roughly 20% to 30% higher relative rates of MASLD and cirrhosis. The journal article was published online October 10, 2026; OHSU reported the findings October 9.
How strong is the evidence?
This is a large human observational study using three established longitudinal cohorts. Its scale and follow-up make the signal noteworthy. However, meal timing was broadly defined and self-reported, and participants were not randomly assigned to eat earlier or later.
What remains uncertain
Residual differences in sleep, shift work, diet quality, health status or other behaviors could partly explain the association. The analysis cannot show whether moving food earlier prevents MASLD or cirrhosis, nor does it establish an ideal cutoff time. A clinical trial with directly monitored eating patterns is needed.
Why it matters
Meal timing may be a modifiable part of metabolic health, but this study should guide research rather than serve as a prescription. It strengthens the case for testing circadian-aligned eating in controlled human trials with liver outcomes.
Sources
Original study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology · OHSU research report
Illustrative stock photo by Ernest Brillo on Unsplash; it does not depict study participants or results.
