--- title: "Late-night eating linked to increased liver disease risk" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/health/late-night-eating-linked-to-increased-liver-disease-risk" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/late-night-eating-linked-to-increased-liver-disease-risk" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/late-night-eating-linked-to-increased-liver-disease-risk.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/late-night-eating-linked-to-increased-liver-disease-risk" category: "Health" area: "United States" published: "2026-10-11T19:05:13.074Z" source_reported: "2026-10-11T17:08:00.000Z" updated: "2026-10-11T19:05:13.074Z" trust_score: 50 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-12T23:30:07.410969+00:00" --- # Late-night eating linked to increased liver disease risk *US study of 200,000 people finds eating after dinner raises odds of liver conditions.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports and 19 digests corroborate the central claim, with specific figures attributed to named researchers. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. The reporting clearly separates facts from comment and attributes claims to named sources. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong language like 'significantly increases' and 'warns' for a study finding. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Eating late at night is linked to a 20-30% higher risk of liver disease, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and cirrhosis. - The findings come from US research analysing data from approximately 200,000 individuals across three studies. - Researchers suggest that eating during the night, when the body's biological clock promotes sleep, reduces efficient food metabolism. - Confining calorie intake to several hours before bedtime may be beneficial for liver health, according to the study's lead author. Eating late at night has been linked to an increased risk of liver disease, according to a US study involving around 200,000 people. The research, published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that individuals who consumed food after dinner or after bedtime had a higher likelihood of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, also known as fatty liver disease, or cirrhosis. The study identified a 20% to 30% increase in all forms of liver disease among those who reported late-night eating compared to those who did not. Robert Wilechansky, lead author of the study and from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), stated that the liver is closely attuned to the body's circadian rhythms. He expressed interest in how altering eating times, without changing food composition, could impact health. Andrew McHill, a sleep and circadian physiologist at OHSU, explained that eating during the night, when the body's internal clock signals sleep, impairs the body's ability to metabolise food efficiently. This can contribute to conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and poor liver health. Wilechansky added that while only a small fraction of those who develop fatty liver disease progress to serious forms like cirrhosis, confining calorie intake to several hours before sleep might be beneficial. ## Disagreement on causation IBTimes Australia reported that researchers stated causation remains unproven, while other reports did not include this qualification. ## What the coverage left out None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports or digests mention the specific advice from lead author Robert Wilechansky that confining your calorie intake to several hours before bedtime might be beneficial. ## Who covered it Shares of the 17 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 36% (6) - Centre: 43% (7) - Right: 21% (4) 14 of 31 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-12T23:30:07.410969+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 115 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-12T23:45:08.185Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports led on the link between late-night eating and increased liver disease risk. The Independent (US) and The Independent (UK) both highlighted the warning that late-night snacking significantly increases disease risk. SANA reported that a recent American study showed a 20-30% increase in the risk of certain liver diseases. Newcastle Herald and illawarramercury.com.au, using identical digests, stated that research on about 200,000 people across three studies found late-night eating is linked to a significantly increased risk of liver disease. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports focused on the connection between late-night meals and snacks and liver disease. PerthNow and The Echo UK led with headlines stating late-night meals and snacks are linked to liver disease. EverydayHealth.com and Medical Xpress highlighted that late-night eating may affect liver health and is linked to higher rates of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. News Medical also noted that late-night snacking may affect liver health. Extra.ie reported that new research on around 200,000 people found late-night eating was linked to a significantly increased risk of liver disease. ### Right - The single right-rated report, The West Australian, used a digest stating that research on about 200,000 people across three studies found late-night eating is linked to a significantly increased risk of liver disease. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 1 - mixed: 3 - high: 7 - unknown: 14 - veryHigh: 6 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [sci.news](https://sci.news/medicine/late-night-snacking-liver-disease-15122.html) — Late-Night Snacking Linked to Higher Risk of Liver Disease - [FOCUS online](https://focus.de/gesundheit/news/wer-nach-abendbrot-snackt-erhoeht-risiko-fuer-fettleber_211f68e3-cccb-4e31-8c58-cfe990a5b6d4.html) — If You Snack After Dinner, You Increase the Risk of Fatty Liver - [iatronet.gr](https://iatronet.gr/article/143435/ta-snak-arga-to-vrady-syndeontai-me-ypshlotera-pososta-lipodoys-nosoy-toy-hpatos-kai-kirroshs-meleth) — Late-Night Snacking Linked to Higher Rates of Fatty Liver Disease and Cirrhosis - [pelop.gr](https://pelop.gr/vradino-fagito-sykoti-erevna-ipar-kindynos) — Dinner: What a Study Shows About the Liver - [IndexHR](https://index.hr/fit/clanak/jedete-li-kasno-navecer-novo-istrazivanje-otkriva-ozbiljne-posljedice-za-zdravlje/2844608.aspx) — Are You Eating Late at Night? New Research Reveals Serious Health Consequences - [srpskainfo.com](https://zdravlje.srpskainfo.com/medicina/naucnici-upozoravaju-na-kasne-obroke-ova-navika-povezana-sa-vecim-rizikom-od-dvije-bolesti-jetre) — Late Meals Linked to Higher Risk of Two Liver Diseases - [Thanh Niên](https://thanhnien.vn/noi-khong-voi-dieu-nay-truoc-khi-ngu-giup-giam-35-nguy-co-gan-nhiem-mo-185261011220908279.htm) — Saying 'No' to This Habit Before Bed Can Reduce the Risk of Fatty Liver Disease by 35%. - [Terveyden Asialla](https://terveydenasialla.com/tutkimus-teki-merkittavan-havainnon-niista-jotka-syovat-yomyohaan) — The Study Made a Significant Finding About Those Who Eat Late at Night - [SANA](https://sana.sy/miscellaneous/2603265) — Study: Late-Night Eating Is Associated with Increased Risk of Liver Diseases - [Mathrubhumi](https://mathrubhumi.com/health/features/fatty-liver-late-night-snacking-impact-noflsx9p) — Do You Have a Habit of Craving Snacks Late at Night? Fatty Liver and Other Liver Diseases Are Close, Study Says - [Kenya Today](https://kenya-today.com/report-latenight-meals-linked-to-2030-higher-risk-of-liver-disease-study-finds-9611) — Late‑night meals linked to 20‑30% higher risk of liver disease, study finds - [Karar Gazetesi](https://karar.com/saglik-haberleri/gece-atistiranlar-dikkat-siroz-ve-karaciger-yaglanmasi-riskini-2077575) — Attention Those Who Snack at Night!: It Can Increase the Risk of Cirrhosis and Fatty Liver Disease. - [indyturk.com](https://indyturk.com/node/783661) — Snacking Late at Night Increases the Risk of Two Liver Diseases. - [The Echo UK](https://echo-news.co.uk/news/26621770.late-night-meals-snacks-linked-liver-disease-study) — Late-night meals and snacks linked to liver disease in new study - [IBTimes Australia](https://ibtimes.com.au/late-night-eating-liver-disease-risk-study-1876500) — Late-Night Eating Linked to Up to 30% Higher Liver Disease Risk in Study of 200,000 People - [PerthNow](https://perthnow.com.au/lifestyle/health-fitness/late-night-meals-and-snacks-linked-to-liver-disease-c-22998314) — Late-night meals and snacks linked to liver disease - [The West Australian](https://thewest.com.au/news/health/late-night-meals-and-snacks-linked-to-liver-disease-c-22998312) — Late-night meals and snacks linked to liver disease - [Newcastle Herald](https://newcastleherald.com.au/story/9366035/late-night-meals-and-snacks-linked-to-liver-disease) — Late-night meals and snacks linked to liver disease - [illawarramercury.com.au](https://illawarramercury.com.au/story/9366035/late-night-meals-and-snacks-linked-to-liver-disease) — Late-night meals and snacks linked to liver disease - [TUOI TRE ONLINE](https://tuoitre.vn/an-khuya-thuong-xuyen-co-the-lam-tang-nguy-co-mac-benh-gan-10026101010075391.htm) — Can Eating Late at Night Regularly Increase the Risk of Liver Disease? - [Agi.it](https://agi.it/salute/news/2026-10-10/spuntino-notte-danni-fegato-39452680) — Eating Late at Night Increases the Risk of Liver Damage - [EverydayHealth.com](https://everydayhealth.com/liver-disease/late-night-snacking-may-increase-liver-disease-risk) — Late-Night Eating Linked to Higher Liver Disease Risk, Study Finds - [MSNBCTV NEWS](https://msnbctv.news/late-night-eating-linked-to-higher-liver-disease-risk-study-finds) — Late-Night Eating Linked to Higher Liver Disease Risk, Study Finds - [News Medical](https://news-medical.net/news/20261009/Late-night-snacking-may-affect-liver-health.aspx) — Late-night snacking may affect liver health - [Medical Xpress](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-late-night-linked-higher-fatty.html) — Late-night eating linked to higher rates of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/late-night-snacks-eating-liver-disease-cirrhosis-b3064162.html) — Late-night snack significantly increases disease risk, study warns - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/late-night-snacks-eating-liver-disease-cirrhosis-b3064162.html) — Late-night snack significantly increases disease risk, study warns - [Flying Eze](https://flyingeze.com/late-night-habit-raises-liver-disease-risk) — Common late night habit could raise risk of TWO liver diseases by... - [Extra.ie](https://extra.ie/2026/10/09/lifestyle/liver-disease-in-new-study) — New study links late night eating with serious liver issues - [The Telegraph](https://telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/09/eating-before-bed-increases-risk-of-fatty-liver-disease) — Eating before bed increases risk of fatty liver disease - [Newsmax](https://newsmax.com/health/health-news/snacking-nighttime-bedtime/2026/10/09/id/1272301) — Late-Night Snacking May Harm Your Liver ## Questions **What is the link between late-night eating and liver disease?** US research on approximately 200,000 people found that eating late at night is associated with a 20-30% increased risk of liver disease, including fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. Researchers suggest this is because eating during the night impairs the body's ability to metabolise food efficiently. **What specific liver conditions are linked to late-night eating?** The study found that late-night eating is linked to an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, commonly known as fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis, a more severe form of liver damage. **Who conducted the study on late-night eating and liver disease?** The study was led by Robert Wilechansky, from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). Andrew McHill, a sleep and circadian physiologist at OHSU, also contributed insights into the metabolic effects of eating at night. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/late-night-eating-linked-to-increased-liver-disease-risk. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Late-night eating linked to increased liver disease risk", https://mediabias.news/health/late-night-eating-linked-to-increased-liver-disease-risk