Late-night binging, fueled by the convenience of food delivery apps, is becoming a popular trend but poses significant risks to liver health, warns Dr Shubham Vatsya, Senior Consultant Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj. This practice disrupts the body's natural circadian rhythm, affecting crucial liver functions such as metabolism and detoxification.

According to Dr Vatsya, the liver operates in alignment with the body’s biological clock. During the day, it focuses on synthesising bile, storing glucose, and energy metabolism. At night, it shifts to repair and detoxification mode. However, eating late forces the liver to prioritise digestion over repair, disrupting the body’s equilibrium.

“This odd-hour binging also triggers the production of free radicals through cellular oxidation, causing liver cell damage and increasing the risk of insulin resistance and fatty liver,” explains Dr Vatsya.

Dr Vatsya lists the potential health complications of eating at odd hours:

• Diabetes (Type 2) and Insulin Resistance

Nocturnal eating hampers the liver's ability to regulate blood glucose levels, leading to insulin resistance and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Late-night binging disrupts lipid metabolism, resulting in fat accumulation in the liver and triggering inflammatory responses.

• Liver Fibrosis

Persistent late-night eating can cause liver inflammation and scarring (fibrosis), significantly raising inflammatory markers in the body.

Dr Vatsya offers practical strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of late-night eating:

“While late-night eating may seem convenient, it severely disrupts the liver’s natural rhythm, leading to inflammation, scarring, and long-term health risks,” concludes Dr Vatsya. By adopting mindful eating habits and maintaining a regular schedule, these adverse effects can be prevented.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.