Scientists are coming through for beer drinkers once again, with a new study that says certain compounds in our favorite adult beverage can help protect brain cells against certain types of damage associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The tests are still in their infancy, however, so don’t go guzzle down a ton of beer to prevent these things…yet.

To try to put things in a way that someone who’s had a few beers would understand, scientists are looking at the compound Xanthohumol, which is a flavonoid found in hops and beer. It is a strong antioxidant, which, in the studies, helped protect brain molecules from oxidative damage, which can lead to the neurodegenerative diseases mentioned above.  

The tests were only performed in a dish of rat neurons, so we’re still pretty far away from learning what effects it will have on humans. And just because something is found in beer doesn’t mean the effects will be the same when you drink beer as opposed to applying the compound directly to the neurons. But keep drinking beer, just in case.