Sure, coffee in the morning may give you an extra energy boost, but researchers suggest that java lovers who regularly drink a cup a day may lower the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

A new study, conducted by researchers from the University of Kuopio in Finland, found that middle-age adults who drank three to five cups of coffee each day were less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It’s believed that plant chemicals, such as chlorogenic acid, act as antioxidants and may help protect body cells, including brain cells, from damage over time.

But the study was clear that while there is an association between coffee and a decreased risk of certain degenerative brain disorders, more research needs to be done to prove a cause-and-effect relationship. Past studies have suggested that drinking coffee can lower one’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, certain cancers and diabetes.

Read RH’s “The Heart-Mind Connection” to learn more about dementia.