Scientists Analyze 117-Year-Old Woman’s DNA to Uncover Secrets of Longevity Diet!
The pursuit of extended life has shifted from ancient legend into the precise domain of contemporary genetics. Today, science is achieving remarkable advances in decoding the biological framework of exceptional longevity, with much of this progress linked to the remarkable life and genetic material of Maria Branyas Morera. A Spanish-American supercentenarian who reached 117 years, Maria did not simply endure more than a century of global upheaval; she flourished, providing researchers with a rare “exceptional case” in the study of aging. Maria’s journey began in San Francisco on March 4, 1907, seven years before World War I erupted. Her life spanned an extraordinary historical arc, covering the administrations of 21 U.S. presidents and witnessing the transition from horse-drawn carriages to the digital era. In 1915, her family chose to return to their ancestral home in Catalonia, Spain. The voyage was marred by tragedy when her father succumbed to pulmonary tuberculosis near the journey’s end. Despite this early loss, Maria would spend the next eleven decades in her adopted country, eventually becoming the world’s oldest verified living person after the passing of French nun Sister André in 2023.
What distinguished Maria from many other supercentenarians was her remarkable mental and physical sharpness. Before her death in August 2024, she made a generous request: she asked that her DNA be examined by the scientific community. She hoped to understand what made her cells so resilient, believing her biological secrets could guide others toward longer, healthier lives. This selfless gesture prompted a team of prominent Spanish researchers, including specialists from the University of Barcelona and the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, to perform a comprehensive analysis of her genetics, tissues, and cellular condition. Dr. Manel Esteller, the study’s lead researcher, observed that typical biological aging involves progressive decline; as people grow older, they generally become more vulnerable to chronic illnesses. Maria, however, was a biological anomaly. The team discovered that her “biological age” was approximately 10 to 15 years younger than her actual age. At 117, her body performed with the efficiency of someone in their early 100s or late 90s. The researchers aimed to distinguish the process of aging from the process of illness—a distinction essential for developing future anti-aging treatments. The internal health markers of Maria were extraordinary. Her blood tests showed exceptionally low levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, alongside very high levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL). Even more intriguing was the condition of her telomeres—the protective caps on chromosome ends that typically shorten with age.
While shorter telomeres are usually associated with higher mortality risk, Maria’s case suggested a more nuanced picture. Some scientists believe that in extreme old age, certain telomeric structures may play a protective role, possibly limiting the rapid division of cancer cells. Beyond genetic factors, Maria’s longevity stemmed from her lifestyle and daily practices. She was a lifelong advocate for simple, consistent routines: she never smoked, avoided alcohol, and maintained an active social life. However, the research team highlighted one particular dietary habit Maria followed with remarkable regularity: yogurt. This fermented food is a known supporter of gut health, and current research increasingly connects a diverse microbiome to enhanced immune function and extended lifespan. Dr. Esteller concluded that the key to extreme longevity is likely divided evenly—50% inherited from parents and 50% shaped by lifestyle decisions. While we cannot select our genetic starting point, Maria’s life illustrates how positive choices can maximize that inherited potential. She demonstrated that the body can preserve its vitality far beyond expected limits if given the proper “order and calm.” In 2020, Maria gained worldwide recognition when she became the oldest person at the time to recover from COVID-19. After emerging from the pandemic, she used her platform to advocate for the dignity of older adults. In an interview with The Observer, she expressed concern about how society often regards its eldest members as “forgotten,” despite their lifelong contributions to the quality of life enjoyed by younger generations. Her sharp wit remained strong until the end; her social media biography famously noted that she was “very old but not an idiot.” With assistance from her daughter, Maria shared a list of principles she believed contributed to her 117-year life.
She emphasized “emotional stability” and “avoiding toxic people” as much as her physical habits. Her philosophy rested on positivity, freedom from regret, and deep connections to nature and family. She left behind a large family of three children, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren, all of whom witnessed her live with a sense of “order and calm.” The scientific implications of Maria Branyas Morera’s DNA study are still being explored. Researchers hope to use the findings to develop medications that replicate the protective effects of her “beneficial genes,” effectively providing a chemical defense against age-related diseases. For the first time, scientists are approaching longevity not as mere chance, but as a controllable biological process. Maria’s life stands as a powerful demonstration that aging does not have to mean decline. Through a combination of strong genetics, a diet rich in probiotics, and a mental outlook defined by positivity and emotional strength, she achieved a level of vitality few humans reach. Her legacy extends beyond Catalonia’s history books; it lives in the laboratories where the next wave of life-extending discoveries is taking shape. Her final contribution to the world—her DNA—may prove to be the key that unlocks a future where 100 becomes the new 80.
