As convenient as restaurant delivery, takeout and prepared foods may be, there’s something to be said for the simple act of cooking at home. Beyond the nutrition benefits, preparing meals involves a surprising amount of physical, mental and social ability and engagement—from planning what to eat and grocery shopping to chopping ingredients, cooking and cleaning up afterwards.

And while the various tasks associated with cooking may feel mundane—especially when we have the option to order a tasty meal straight to our doorstep—they’re exactly the kinds of everyday activities that help keep us engaged as we get older. Cooking requires decision-making, memory, coordination and movement, while grocery shopping can provide opportunities to socialize and stay physically active. Together, these small daily habits may offer benefits that extend far beyond the kitchen.

In fact, new research published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health suggests that those everyday tasks may play an important role in healthy aging. Specifically, researchers explored whether maintaining the ability and opportunity to cook meals later in life could reduce the risk of developing dementia.