Many of us aspire to achieve immortality — and science is making significant progress toward that goal.
Now, the DNA of an American-Spanish woman is providing us with even more insights.
Made a notable request
Maria Branyas Morera was born in the United States on March 4, 1907 — seven years prior to the start of World War One. This Spanish-American supercentenarian lived an incredible 117 years, passing away in 2024 after experiencing over a century of history.
Throughout her life, she witnessed two world wars, 21 U.S. presidents, and numerous technological advancements that radically changed the way people lived. Although she was born in San Francisco, Maria relocated with her family to Spain in 1915, settling in Catalonia.
Sadly, her father succumbed to pulmonary tuberculosis near the end of their journey, but Maria continued to live her extraordinary life in her adopted country.
Before her passing, she made a notable request: she asked doctors to examine her DNA to uncover the secrets behind her status as the world’s oldest living person, hoping that her findings could assist others in achieving longer lives.
This request led a group of Spanish scientists, including researchers from the University of Barcelona and the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, to investigate her biological profile. They began collecting tissue samples and analyzing her cells and genetics.
In an interview with The Times, Dr. Manel Esteller, the lead investigator of the study, stated:
“The general belief is that as we grow older, we tend to get sicker, but she was an exception, and we aimed to find out why. For the first time, we’ve managed to distinguish between aging and illness.”
He continued:
“We can create medications that mimic the effects of beneficial genes. Maria’s parents provided her with excellent genes, but we don’t have the ability to choose our parents.”
Inside the findings
The findings were remarkable. Maria’s biological indicators suggested she was 10 to 15 years younger than her chronological age, making her a lively centenarian at 117.
She exhibited remarkably low levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol and triglycerides, along with very high levels of ‘good’ cholesterol.
Her longevity was also bolstered by healthy lifestyle choices. She exercised regularly, steered clear of smoking and alcohol, and kept an active social life. Maria had another unique habit that might have played a role in her long life: her fondness for yogurt.
She preferred the Spanish brand La Fageda, a probiotic yogurt recognized for its inflammation-reducing bacteria. Her mornings frequently started with a smoothie loaded with eight different types of cereals.
Scientists have observed distinct characteristics in her telomeres, which are the protective caps located at the ends of chromosomes. Although shorter telomeres are generally associated with increased mortality, studies indicate that they might not serve as a dependable indicator of aging in the very elderly. In Maria’s situation, her shorter telomeres could have even provided her with some protection, possibly restricting the growth of cancer cells.
“The findings from our research, although based solely on this one remarkable individual, indicate that extreme old age and poor health are not necessarily connected,” stated the researchers, led by epigeneticists Eloy Santos-Pujol and Aleix Noguera-Castells, as reported by Science Alert.
Dr. Esteller summarized:
“The secrets to extreme longevity lie in a combination of what we inherit from our parents and our lifestyle choices. The balance of this mix varies, but it can be […] fifty-fifty.”
Her personal tips for a long life
Morera became the oldest person in the world when French nun Sister André passed away on January 17, 2023. She held the title of the world’s oldest verified living person until her own passing at the age of 117 years and 168 days on August 19, 2024.
In March 2020, Branyas was recognized as the oldest person at that time to recover from COVID-19. In an interview with The Observer, she advocated for improved treatment of the elderly, stating:
“This pandemic has shown that older individuals are the overlooked members of our society. They have dedicated their entire lives, sacrificing time and dreams for the quality of life we enjoy today. They did not deserve to exit the world in this manner.”
Morera, whose Twitter bio humorously noted that she was “very old but not an idiot,” spent the remainder of her life in Catalonia. She was a mother to three children, grandmother to 11, and great-grandmother to 13. With her daughter’s assistance, she shared her wisdom on Twitter, crediting her longevity to:
“Order, tranquility, strong connections with family and friends, engagement with nature, emotional stability, a lack of worries and regrets, a positive outlook, and avoiding toxic people.
Maria Branyas Morera’s life showcases the benefits of good genetics, healthy lifestyle choices, and maybe a bit of yogurt each day. Her journey serves as a reminder that getting older doesn’t necessarily equate to deteriorating health — and her legacy might assist researchers in discovering the keys to longer, healthier living.
