Doctors Study 117-Year-Old Woman’s DNA to Uncover the Secret Food for a Longer Life
A great number of people dream of achieving eternal life, and modern science is taking impressive strides toward making that a reality.
Today, the genetic makeup of an American-Spanish woman is offering us even deeper insights into longevity.
A Remarkable Final Wish
Maria Branyas Morera entered the world in the United States on March 4, 1907 — just seven years prior to the outbreak of World War One. This extraordinary Spanish-American supercentenarian reached the astounding age of 117, ultimately passing away in 2024 after living through more than a century of historical milestones.
Over the course of her lifetime, she lived through two global wars, witnessed the administrations of 21 U.S. presidents, and observed countless technological breakthroughs that entirely reshaped human existence. Although her birthplace was San Francisco, Maria and her family moved to Spain in 1915, ultimately putting down roots in Catalonia.
Tragically, her father lost his life to pulmonary tuberculosis near the conclusion of their transatlantic voyage, yet Maria went on to lead a truly exceptional life in her new homeland.
Prior to her death, she made an important request: she asked medical experts to study her DNA to uncover the biological secrets behind her reaching the milestone of the world’s oldest living person. Her profound hope was that this research could eventually help others enjoy longer, healthier lives.
Her wish prompted a team of Spanish scientists, which included experts from the University of Barcelona as well as the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, to thoroughly examine her biological makeup. They initiated the process of gathering tissue samples to closely analyze her cellular and genetic structures.
Speaking with The Times, the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Manel Esteller, explained:
“It is widely assumed that aging goes hand-in-hand with illness, but she broke that rule, and our goal was to understand the reason behind it. For the very first time, we have been able to separate the process of aging from the onset of disease.”
He went on to say:
“We have the potential to develop drugs that replicate the benefits of certain genes. Maria was fortunate enough to inherit phenomenal genes from her parents, but we obviously cannot choose our own parents.”
Delving Into the Discoveries
The research yielded incredible results. Maria’s biological markers indicated that her body functioned as if she were 10 to 15 years younger than her actual chronological age, classifying her as a highly vibrant 117-year-old.
Her test results revealed exceptionally low levels of triglycerides and ‘bad’ cholesterol, paired with abundant levels of ‘good’ cholesterol.
Furthermore, her extended lifespan was supported by excellent daily habits. She engaged in regular physical activity, completely avoided smoking and drinking alcohol, and maintained a rich social life. Maria also had a specific dietary habit that may have contributed to her impressive lifespan: a daily love for yogurt.
She specifically favored the Spanish brand La Fageda, a probiotic-rich yogurt known for bacteria that help reduce inflammation. Additionally, she often kicked off her mornings with a nutrient-dense smoothie packed with eight distinct varieties of grains.
Researchers also noted unique traits in her telomeres, which act as the protective shields at the tips of our chromosomes. While shorter telomeres are typically linked to higher mortality rates, emerging studies suggest they may not be a flawless indicator of aging in extreme supercentenarians. In Maria’s specific case, her shorter telomeres might have actually offered her a degree of protection, potentially stunting the development of cancerous cells.
“Our findings, despite being derived from just one phenomenal woman, suggest that reaching an extreme old age does not automatically mean living with poor health,” noted the research team, spearheaded by epigeneticists Eloy Santos-Pujol and Aleix Noguera-Castells, according to a report by Science Alert.
Dr. Esteller concluded:
“The recipe for extreme longevity is a blend of our genetic inheritance and our personal lifestyle habits. The exact ratio of this combination can differ, but it can often be […] a fifty-fifty split.”
Her Personal Advice for a Long Life
Morera officially became the globe’s oldest living individual following the passing of French nun Sister André on January 17, 2023. She retained the title of the world’s oldest verified living human until she passed away at exactly 117 years and 168 days old on August 19, 2024.
Back in March 2020, Branyas gained recognition as the oldest known survivor of COVID-19 at that time. Speaking with The Observer, she championed better care and respect for the elderly population, remarking:
“This pandemic has revealed that senior citizens are often the forgotten demographic in our society. They have worked their whole lives, sacrificing their time and personal dreams to build the quality of life we all benefit from today. They did not deserve to leave this world in such a manner.”
Morera, who playfully stated in her Twitter biography that she was “very old but not an idiot,” lived out her final years in Catalonia. She was a mother to three, a grandmother to 11, and a great-grandmother to 13. Aided by her daughter, she regularly shared her life advice on Twitter, attributing her long life to:
“Order, peace, strong bonds with family and friends, staying connected to nature, emotional balance, living without constant worries and regrets, maintaining a positive attitude, and steering clear of toxic individuals.”
The extraordinary life of Maria Branyas Morera perfectly illustrates the incredible advantages of superior genetics, wise lifestyle habits, and perhaps a daily serving of yogurt. Her remarkable story is a beautiful reminder that growing older does not have to mean declining health — and her scientific legacy may just help future researchers unlock the secrets to a longer, healthier human existence.