Doctors Investigate DNA of 117-Year-Old Woman to Find the One Food That Could Unlock Longer Lives
What if the secret to living past 110 wasn’t hidden in a futuristic lab or an expensive supplement—but sitting quietly on your dinner plate?
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That’s the question scientists began asking when they studied the DNA of Maria Branyas Morera, a woman who lived to 117 years old and was recognized as one of the oldest living people in the world before her passing in 2024. Researchers were fascinated not only by her age—but by her remarkable health. Until very late in life, she retained mental clarity, emotional balance, and relative physical independence.
So what did doctors find when they looked into her genes, her lifestyle, and especially her diet?
Among several fascinating insights, one humble food stood out.
And it might already be in your fridge.
Who Was Maria Branyas Morera?
Born in 1907 in the United States and raised in Spain, Maria Branyas Morera lived through two world wars, the Spanish Civil War, the 1918 flu pandemic, and even survived COVID-19 at age 113.
She eventually passed away in Olot, Catalonia, leaving behind not just a long life—but a scientific mystery.
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Researchers studying her DNA found that biologically, her cells appeared much younger than her chronological age. Some of her biological markers resembled those of a woman decades younger. Her immune system functioned exceptionally well. Her inflammation levels were low. Her cholesterol and metabolic markers were surprisingly stable.
While genetics certainly played a role, scientists quickly realized something else mattered just as much: her daily habits.
The Food That Stood Out: Yogurt
Among her dietary staples, one food repeatedly appeared in interviews and family accounts:
Plain yogurt.
Maria consumed yogurt regularly—often daily—as part of a simple Mediterranean-style diet.
While yogurt isn’t a miracle cure, it may have contributed to one of the most important longevity factors scientists now recognize: a healthy gut microbiome.
Why Yogurt Matters for Longevity
Modern longevity research increasingly focuses on the gut—the trillions of bacteria living in your digestive system.
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These microbes influence:
Immune function
Inflammation levels
Brain health
Hormone balance
Metabolism
Even mood
In Maria’s case, researchers found that her gut microbiota resembled that of much younger individuals. That’s extraordinary.
Yogurt contains live beneficial bacteria (probiotics), particularly strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which help maintain microbial balance.
A healthy microbiome can:
Reduce chronic inflammation (a key driver of aging)
Strengthen the immune system
Improve nutrient absorption
Protect against harmful pathogens
Chronic inflammation—often called “inflammaging”—is one of the biggest accelerators of biological aging. By keeping her gut bacteria balanced, yogurt may have helped keep systemic inflammation low.
The Bigger Picture: The Mediterranean Diet
Yogurt wasn’t the only healthy habit in Maria’s life. She followed a traditional Mediterranean diet, rich in:
Olive oil
Fresh vegetables
Fruits
Legumes
Whole grains
Fish
Nuts
This dietary pattern is strongly associated with longer lifespan and lower risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and cancer.
The Mediterranean diet has been studied extensively in populations across countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece, where centenarians are more common than in many other regions.
Yogurt fits naturally into this dietary framework—not as a magic bullet, but as a daily, consistent contributor to gut health.
Genetics vs. Lifestyle: What Did Her DNA Reveal?
Doctors studying Maria Branyas Morera’s DNA discovered that she carried genetic variants associated with:
Efficient cholesterol metabolism
Reduced cardiovascular risk
Strong immune regulation
Enhanced cellular repair mechanisms
But here’s the crucial insight:
Genetics loads the gun. Lifestyle pulls the trigger.
Plenty of people carry favorable genes but don’t reach 100. Researchers believe Maria’s consistent habits amplified her genetic advantages.
Her case reinforces a growing scientific consensus: longevity is about synergy—genes + diet + environment + mindset.
The Role of Gut Health in Aging
To understand why yogurt might matter so much, we need to zoom out.
As we age, the diversity of our gut microbiome often declines. Harmful bacteria can become more dominant, leading to:
Increased inflammation
Weakened immunity
Greater risk of metabolic disease
Cognitive decline
However, in supercentenarians like Maria, scientists often observe something unusual: a preserved and diverse gut ecosystem.
Recent research on long-lived populations has shown that certain bacterial strains produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially butyrate. These compounds:
Reduce inflammation
Protect the gut lining
Support metabolic health
Influence brain signaling
Fermented foods like yogurt help support these beneficial bacteria.
It’s not just about adding bacteria—it’s about maintaining balance.
Simplicity Over Supplements
In an era obsessed with anti-aging pills, biohacking, and extreme diets, Maria’s life offers a refreshing contrast.
She didn’t follow a restrictive regimen.
She didn’t take exotic longevity supplements.
She didn’t fast for 48 hours at a time.
Instead, her habits were simple:
Eat moderately
Include fermented foods
Stay socially connected
Manage stress
Move gently
Maintain emotional stability
Her life supports what longevity researchers increasingly find in so-called “Blue Zones” — regions where people live exceptionally long lives.
One famous Blue Zone is Okinawa, where fermented foods are also common. Another is Sardinia, known for its high concentration of male centenarians.
Across these regions, fermented dairy or plant-based equivalents frequently appear in traditional diets.
Could Yogurt Really Extend Your Life?
Let’s be clear: yogurt alone will not make you live to 117.
But here’s what the science suggests:
Regular consumption of probiotic-rich yogurt is associated with:
Lower risk of type 2 diabetes
Reduced cardiovascular disease risk
Better weight management
Improved digestive health
Stronger immune response
When combined with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, yogurt may contribute to a biological environment that supports slower aging.
The keyword is consistency.
Maria didn’t treat yogurt as medicine. It was simply part of her daily routine.
The Inflammation Connection
Chronic low-grade inflammation is one of the biggest predictors of early mortality.
It contributes to:
Heart disease
Alzheimer’s
Cancer
Arthritis
Metabolic syndrome
Gut imbalance is a major driver of inflammation.
By supporting beneficial bacteria, yogurt may reduce inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP). Lower inflammation means less cellular damage over time.
Maria’s case suggests her body maintained remarkably low inflammatory activity for her age.
Mental Health and Longevity
Another fascinating element of Maria Branyas Morera’s life was her emotional balance.
Family members described her as calm, optimistic, and mentally sharp. She avoided unnecessary stress and valued relationships.
Emerging research on the gut-brain axis shows that gut bacteria influence:
Serotonin production
Stress response
Cognitive function
Mood regulation
In other words, the same yogurt that feeds your gut may also influence your brain.
Longevity isn’t just about organs lasting longer. It’s about preserving mental clarity and emotional stability.
What Kind of Yogurt Is Best?
If you’re inspired to add yogurt to your routine, here are some evidence-based tips:
Choose plain, unsweetened yogurt.
Look for “live and active cultures.”
Avoid high-sugar flavored varieties.
Consider full-fat versions if tolerated—they may be more satiating.
Pair with fiber-rich foods (berries, nuts, seeds) to feed beneficial bacteria.
Fiber acts as a prebiotic—fuel for probiotics.
Maria’s yogurt wasn’t ultra-processed or sugar-loaded. It was simple and traditional.
The Power of Daily Rituals
Perhaps the most powerful lesson from Maria’s life isn’t yogurt itself—but routine.
Longevity research increasingly shows that small, consistent behaviors compound over decades.
A daily bowl of yogurt.
A walk outside.
A shared meal.
A calm mindset.
These behaviors seem insignificant in isolation. Over 100 years, they become transformative.
What Her Story Teaches Us
Maria Branyas Morera’s life offers hope in a culture that often treats aging as decline.
Her DNA showed favorable genetics—but not superhuman ones. Her diet was healthy—but not extreme. Her habits were ordinary—but sustained.
The “one food” that stood out—yogurt—symbolizes something deeper: support your gut, reduce inflammation, nourish consistently.
Longevity doesn’t appear to come from one dramatic intervention.
It comes from alignment—between biology and behavior.
Final Thoughts: The Unlock Isn’t a Secret Formula
Scientists will continue analyzing supercentenarians for genetic breakthroughs. Advanced research may one day identify specific molecular pathways that can be targeted to extend lifespan.
But for now, Maria’s case suggests something beautifully simple:
Protect your gut.
Eat fermented foods regularly.
Follow a Mediterranean-style pattern.
Stay socially connected.
Manage stress.
Be consistent.
The key to longer life may not be a futuristic discovery.
It may be a spoonful of yogurt—every single day—for decades.
And perhaps, like Maria, the true secret isn’t chasing longevity at all.
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