Liver diseases often cause long-term pain and can become life-threatening. New research now shows that a common nighttime habit may significantly increase the risk of the world’s most widespread liver condition.
A medical study from the United Kingdom reveals that eating large amounts of food late at night increases the likelihood of developing fatty liver disease. Researchers from the University of Oxford conducted the study and published the findings in the scientific journal Cell Metabolism.
Fatty Liver Disease Affects Millions Worldwide
Fatty liver disease, also known as hepatic steatosis, is the most common liver disorder across the globe. Around 40 percent of adults worldwide live with this condition, according to global health estimates.
The disease often progresses silently. Many people experience no early symptoms, which makes diagnosis difficult. As the condition worsens, however, serious health risks emerge. These include liver failure, liver cancer, and a higher risk of heart disease.
Because of its growing prevalence, researchers continue to search for lifestyle factors that raise or reduce the risk.
Excess Weight and Metabolic Problems Play a Key Role
Medical experts strongly link fatty liver disease to excess body weight. Obesity places heavy strain on metabolic processes and encourages fat buildup in the liver.
Insulin resistance also plays a critical role. When the body responds poorly to insulin, the liver begins to store fat more rapidly. Over time, this process damages liver tissue and disrupts normal liver function.
Until now, research mainly focused on calorie intake and weight gain. This new study shifts attention to the timing of food consumption.
Why Nighttime Eating Increases Risk
The Oxford researchers found that consuming a large share of daily calories at night increases fatty liver risk, especially in overweight individuals.
At night, the body’s metabolism slows down. It processes glucose and fat less efficiently during evening and nighttime hours. When people eat heavily during this period, the metabolic system struggles to manage the excess energy.
As a result, glucose and fats move into storage rather than being used for energy. Much of this excess fat accumulates in the liver, accelerating disease development.
Insulin Sensitivity Drops After Dark
The study also showed that the body responds less effectively to insulin at night. This reduced sensitivity encourages the liver to produce and store more fat.
At the same time, muscles and abdominal fat tissues burn energy less efficiently. These combined effects increase fat storage in the liver during nighttime hours.
Even more importantly, the researchers observed that weight loss does not fully restore nighttime metabolic function. Although weight reduction lowers liver fat, nighttime metabolism remains impaired. This finding suggests that nighttime metabolic decline directly contributes to fatty liver disease.
A Silent Condition With Serious Consequences
Fatty liver disease often develops without warning signs. Many people only learn about the condition after routine tests or when serious complications appear.
Modern lifestyles make late-night eating increasingly common. Long working hours, screen exposure, and irregular sleep patterns all encourage nighttime calorie intake.
What the Findings Mean for Prevention
The researchers stress that limiting calorie intake before bedtime may reduce fatty liver risk. Eating earlier allows the body to process nutrients more efficiently.
Avoiding heavy meals close to sleep may also reduce glucose and fat storage in the liver. This strategy could prove especially helpful for people with obesity or insulin resistance.
Rethinking When We Eat
The study adds to growing evidence that meal timing matters as much as food quality and quantity. Aligning eating habits with natural metabolic rhythms may help protect long-term liver health.
As fatty liver disease continues to rise worldwide, simple lifestyle changes-such as reducing late-night eating-could play a vital role in prevention.
