117-Year-Old Woman’s DNA and Diet Hold Secrets to Long Life, Scientists Reveal

What if we could find a way that enabled us to live longer? Well, perhaps the best person to study in this regard would be the woman who previously held the record for the oldest person in the world. Maria Branyas Morera earned that title in January 2023, when she was awarded it by the Guinness World Records. Maria passed away in August 2024 at the ripe old age of 117. After analyzing her DNA, scientists believe they have found the factors that determine her long life span. Not surprisingly, many of these factors are driven by lifestyle choices, with a fair amount of genetic luck. 

What DNA Results Revealed About Her Long Life Span

Maria was on the 4th of March 1907, in San Francisco. Her parents had previously moved to the United States from Spain and Mexico. However, they returned to Spain during World War One, settling in Catalonia in 1915. There are very few people who can claim to have lived for so many years, watching the world change over the decades. Maria herself has seen so many loved ones come and go, so what differentiates her from those around her? How did she manage to live for 117 years in such good health? This is what the research team from Barcelona University set out to learn. 

The investigation took place at Barcelona University in Spain, where researchers analyzed Maria’s DNA and microbiome. The tests revealed that Maria had a “privileged genome” as well as the “microbiome of a child”. One of the researchers noted that Maria’s biological age was cut down by about 17 years due to her unique genes. Her daughter also stated that her mother was never sick, perhaps adding to her long life span. Maria was also said to have been blessed with a sharp mind and keen senses, with her hearing, memory, and eyesight only starting to fail her just before she died. 

The researchers also noted that Maria had exceptional blood sugar regulation, good cholesterol levels, and a well-balanced immune system. She also completely abstained from smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol. Maria ate three yoghurts every day as part of her Mediterranean diet. She was also still physically active, taking regular walks around. Social interaction also keeps the mind young and active, and Maria was regularly around friends and family. 

The Bottom Line

According to the researchers, those are the lifestyle factors to emulate if you wish to live longer too. They also noted that Maria’s life serves as a reminder that getting older does not necessarily mean getting sick. Staying socially integrated, physically active, and eating a healthy Mediterranean diet helped Maria live for 117 years. Most of all, she wasn’t just alive, she was healthy and thriving and capable of enjoying life. 

It’s also clear that it’s not only about what you put in your body, but also what you refrain from consuming. Maria’s long life span is the best example of the benefits of staying clear of vices like alcohol and tobacco. The title for the oldest (living) person in the world is currently held by Inah Canabarro Lucas. Inah is a nun from Brazil and was born on the 8th of June in 1908. This means that she is currently in her 116th year on earth. We wish Inah, and you, many many more years of health and prosperity!