The pursuit of youth and a long, fulfilling life has existed for centuries. All over the world, people are searching for the secrets that will help them live longer. After studying the DNA of a 117-year-old woman, doctors might have the answer. Now, they are arguing that this one food may have contributed to this woman’s longevity.
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Background Details: Maria Branyas Morera passed away in 2024; however, before her death, she held various titles regarding her age. LadBible shares that she “held the titles of the world’s oldest verified living person and the oldest Spanish person ever, being 117 years and 168 days old at the time of her death.”
- Maria was born in America but moved to Spain in 1915.
- She survived COVID-19 at the age of 113.
- She wanted to help others learn how to live long lives, so she asked doctors to study her DNA.
Supercentarian Asks Doctors To Study Her DNA
It is not every day that someone wants to share their health secrets with the world. Luckily for all of us, Maria was not holding back. She reached out to doctors and asked them to study her DNA so that they could learn how others could live a long, happy life like she did.
- Before her death, doctors in Spain collected “samples of her blood, saliva, urine, and stools to create a biological profile.”
From this profile, they gained a great deal of insight into Maria’s life and her remarkable longevity. They discovered that multiple factors likely contributed to her long lifespan.
- First, Maria’s parents blessed her with great genes. While helpful, genes are not something we have much control over, so doctors decided to dig deeper.
- Next, Maria lived a very active lifestyle. LadBible reports that her nursing home admitted that Maria exercised as long as possible, which contributed to her health.
- Additionally, the supercentaurian did not drink or smoke, and she led a very social lifestyle.
As you can see, a combination of good genes and lifestyle choices can make a significant difference. When doctors studied the structure of Maria’s cells, they discovered that her “biological age was between 10 and 15 years below her actual age.”
The One Food That Could Have Contributed To Her Longevity

In addition to her marvelous genes and excellent lifestyle choices, there was one other factor about Maria’s life that interested the doctors. That factor was her diet. The doctors and researchers discovered that Maria had a particular fondness for yogurt. They reported that she “would consume the Spanish brand La Fageda up to three times a day.”
Why is this of importance?
It is well known that yogurt has a direct contribution to gut health. It supplies probiotics, which contribute to the good bacteria in your gut. Additionally, research also suggests that yogurt helps your immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties.
This research suggests that “Probiotics are considered the ideal antibiotic substitute.” This means that eating this one food could have contributed to her longevity by providing her with substantial immune support.
So there you have it – the next time you are craving a snack, reach for a nice bowl of yogurt instead of chips.

