A daily cup of coffee may prevent retinal damage due to aging, diabetes and glaucoma thanks to a powerful agent contained in coffee beans.

Raw coffee may only contain one percent caffeine, but it also contains between seven to nine percent chlorogenic acid, a potent antioxidant which helps to prevent retinal deterioration and possible blindness.

A study conducted by researchers at Cornell University analyzed the effects of chlorogenic acid on the retina of lab mice, and found that it reduced the risk of retinal degeneration.

The retina is a thin layer located on the back wall of the eye, and contains millions of nerve and light-sensitive cells that retrieve and regulate visual data. Because the retina is metabolically active, it requires a large amount of oxygen, making it vulnerable to oxidative stress. Any free radicals and lack of adequate oxygen can result in tissue damage and possible loss of vision.

Chang Y. Lee, professor of food science and the study’s senior author, believes in the importance of understanding the role that natural foods play in providing beneficial health effects.

“Coffee is the most popular drink in the world, and we are understanding what benefit we can get from that,” Lee said in a statement.

In the past, studies have determined that coffee can also reduce the risk of developing other diseases, including diabetes, prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and age-related cognitive issues.

The findings of the study are published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.