A well designed study published in the American Journal of the American Medical Association finds that three cups of coffee per day may lower the risk of gallstones in men (and probably women as well). The reason for this is not clear. Several theories have been hypothesized.

One possibility for the beneficial effects of caffeine on the gallbladder may be due to the antioxidant effects of caffeic acid. Or it may not be the caffeine at all since colas and other caffeinated drinks had no effect. It has been suggested that there are other possibly beneficial phytochemicals in coffee that exert this effect.

However, since there are many well known deleterious effects of coffee it would not be wise to change your habits just yet. And since this is only one study, nothing definitive can as yet be determined. But it is and interesting bit of research to keep your eye out for further news.