- A study of nearly 200,000 US adults suggests regular late-night snacking increases the risk of developing cirrhosis and fatty liver disease by 20 to 30 per cent.
- Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University link the heightened risk to disruptions in the body's internal circadian rhythm and reduced metabolic efficiency at night.
- Cirrhosis and fatty liver disease are among the most common forms of liver condition and can potentially progress to liver cancer.
- More than 52,000 people die from chronic liver disease in the US every year, according to federal data.
- Future research will explore whether altering the timing of meals without changing food composition can effectively lower health risks.
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