Dhaka, Oct. 11 -- Late-night snacking may do more than disrupt sleep, with new research linking eating after dinner to a higher risk of cirrhosis and fatty liver disease, The Independent reports.

The study, published on Friday, analysed nearly 200,000 US adults and found that eating after dinner was associated with a 20 to 30 percent higher risk of cirrhosis and fatty liver disease, conditions that can sometimes lead to cancer.

The Independent reported that researchers believe the association may be linked to the body's circadian rhythm, its internal clock that regulates sleep and other biological processes.

Andrew McHill, an associate professor and sleep and circadian physiologist at Oregon Health & Science University, said the timing...