Are you a lover of late night snacks?
Well, researchers from the University of Oxford have discovered that the world’s most common liver disease, known as MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease), follows a daily pattern.
Formerly called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, MASLD affects approximately 40% of adults worldwide, with the disease being more common in overweight people.
The disease is serious because it can lead to liver failure, liver cancer and heart disease. A key feature of MASLD is insulin resistance, which means the body does not respond well to insulin, making it easier for fat to accumulate in the liver.
In the new study, researchers used advanced tests, including blood checks, liver biopsies and insulin sensitivity tests, both during the day and at night.
They studied people with and without MASLD to find out how their metabolism changes over 24 hours.
The results showed that the liver produces more fat at night and insulin resistance becomes worse – not only in the liver, but also in muscle and abdominal fat.
Insulin levels in the blood also drop at night, making it harder for the body to control sugar and fat levels. These changes create the perfect conditions for fat to build up in the liver while people sleep.
The study also found that many people with MASLD ate a large portion of their calories in the evening, that is, more than 40% at dinner.
Eating late in the day, when the body is less able to process sugar and fat, can cause a damaging ‘double whammy’ that worsens the disease.
Lead researcher Dr. Thomas Marjot said this study could provide new ways to prevent and treat MASLD because doctors can use this information to find the best time of day to exercise or take medications. Avoiding large meals in the evening can also help reduce liver damage.
In summary, this study suggests that nighttime is a dangerous time for people with MASLD. It shows that eating late can make the situation worse and that it is also necessary to manage when we eat, and not just what we eat.
These new insights open the door for smarter treatment strategies focused on the body’s natural rhythms.
