Doctors studied the dna of a 117-year-old woman - and found one life-extending food
|
Many dream of living longer, but not just adding years to the calendar—they want those years to be vibrant and healthy. While science is advancing rapidly, sometimes the most intriguing clues come from the extraordinary life of a single individual.
This was the case with Maria Branyas Morera, a Spanish-American woman who lived to be 117 and was verified as the oldest person in the world during her final years. Before she passed, she made an unusual request: she wanted doctors and researchers to study her body and her DNA to understand how she reached such an age while remaining relatively high-functioning.
A Remarkable Request
Maria was born in the United States on March 4, 1907, just a few years before the outbreak of World War I. Throughout her life, she witnessed two World Wars, the transition of dozens of world leaders, and technological revolutions that completely reshaped the globe—from the days when flight was a rarity to the era of the internet and social media.
Though born in San Francisco, her family moved to Spain in 1915 and settled in Catalonia. The journey was difficult; her father fell ill and died of pulmonary tuberculosis toward the end of the voyage. However, Maria went on to build her life in Spain, eventually spending the vast majority of her years there.
In the final stages of her life, she requested that scientists examine her DNA and biological profile, hoping the findings would help others understand how to achieve longevity and perhaps develop ways to improve health in old age.
What Did the Tests Reveal?
The study was led by a team of researchers in Spain, including experts from the University of Barcelona and various medical research institutes. Their goal was to understand why aging in most people is accompanied by disease, while Maria’s profile told a different story.
The researchers described particularly surprising findings: according to her biomarkers, Maria’s body "appeared" younger than her chronological age—estimated to be about 10 to 15 years younger than her actual years. In other words, at 117, she was considered an "energetic centenarian" by certain metrics.
Additionally, she was found to have exceptionally low levels of "bad cholesterol" (LDL) and triglycerides, alongside high levels of "good cholesterol" (HDL). These markers are often associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular issues and were remarkably positive even for someone of her extreme age.
The researchers did not attribute everything to genetics alone. They emphasized that Maria lived a "clean" lifestyle: she exercised regularly, avoided smoking and alcohol, and maintained active social ties—a combination well-known to protect health in old age.
Then came the detail that sparked the most curiosity: Maria had a particular fondness for yogurt. According to reports, she ate yogurt regularly, favored a specific Spanish brand, and preferred varieties with probiotic cultures—those containing "good" bacteria that support the digestive system and reduce inflammation. Her mornings, it was noted, often began with a shake consisting of eight different types of cereal.
The Role of Telomeres
Beyond blood lipids and lifestyle, researchers looked at her telomeres—the "caps" at the ends of chromosomes that shorten as we age. Typically, short telomeres are linked to a higher risk of illness and death, but in the case of the extremely aged, the picture is less clear.
In Maria’s case, it was noted that her telomeres were short. However, researchers raised an interesting possibility: such a state may sometimes limit the reproduction of problematic cells, potentially reducing the risk of cancerous developments in certain scenarios. While not definitive proof, it is one of the hypotheses scientists explore when trying to understand the "paradox" of people who live many years in relatively good health.
The bottom line of the study emphasized an important concept: advanced age and poor health do not have to be synonymous. It may be possible to separate "being old" from "being sick" by deciphering the components that allow certain individuals to age differently.
Her Personal Advice for a Long Life
Maria became the oldest person in the world following the death of a well-known French nun in early 2023. She held that title until her death in August 2024, at the age of 117 years and 168 days. Among her many feats, she survived the COVID-19 pandemic—recovering from the virus at an age when almost no one expected her to.
Beyond medical data, Maria loved to share her insights on life. She emphasized the importance of order, peace of mind, good connections with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, and having fewer worries and regrets. She maintained a positive attitude and made a conscious decision to stay away from "toxic" people.
The story of Maria Branyas Morera is a reminder that longevity likely doesn't depend on a single "secret." According to researchers, it is a combination of what we inherit from our parents and the habits we build throughout our lives—often a near-equal split between the two. But if there is one tangible takeaway, it is this: good genes help, good habits help, and perhaps a small daily ritual—like a bowl of yogurt—can be another piece in the puzzle of a longer, healthier life.
