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Eating late at night has long been associated with weight gain, but scientists now suggest it could directly affect liver health.
New research involving about 200,000 people in three studies found that late-night meals and snacks were associated with a significantly higher risk of liver disease.
Published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the study found that people who eat after dinner or after going to bed face an increased risk of steatotic liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction, where fat accumulates in the organ, or cirrhosis.
Lead author Dr. Robert Wilechansky, from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), said: “We know that the liver is very in tune with the body’s circadian rhythms.
“So we want to change the timing of eating in a way that could impact health without changing the composition of what people eat.”
The study of the U.S. population found a 20 to 30 percent increase in all forms of liver disease among people who reported eating late at night compared to those who did not.
“It’s important to remember that among people who have developed fatty liver disease, only a small fraction develop severe forms of the disease like liver cirrhosis,” Dr. Wilechansky said.
“Even so, the important point to remember here is that limiting your calorie intake to several hours before bedtime could be beneficial.”
Dr. Andrew McHill, a sleep and circadian physiologist at OHSU, said, “We keep seeing that the timing of behaviors, whether it’s sleep, eating or exercise, really matters.
“For example, we have shown that eating at night, when the internal body clock favors sleep, reduces your body’s ability to metabolize food as efficiently and can eventually lead to obesity, diabetes and now poor liver health. »
There are many types of liver disease and some have no symptoms.
Symptoms of cirrhosis include feeling constantly tired and weak, loss of appetite, loss of libido, jaundice, itchy skin, and feeling or nausea.
Earlier this year, a study found that people who struggle with stress and also snack late at night could have a “double impact” on their gut health.
Experts suggest that this combination could significantly increase the risk of intestinal problems. A study by US researchers, analyzing data from more than 11,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, found a clear link.
Gn Health
