A supercentenarian woman, Maria Branyas Morera, who lived to be 117 years old, has intrigued researchers with her remarkable longevity despite living through various challenges like wars, pandemics, and even Covid. Maria, who was the world’s oldest person at the time of her passing in 2024, expressed a wish for doctors to study her to benefit others before her demise.
Researchers in Spain, where Maria moved at a young age, conducted a detailed examination of her biological makeup. A team of scientists from the University of Barcelona and Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute collected samples from Maria to analyze her cells and genetics.
Dr. Manel Esteller, leading the study, highlighted the exceptional health of Maria, mentioning that while aging typically leads to health issues, she defied this norm. They aimed to understand the reasons behind her exceptional health to potentially develop drugs that mimic the effects of beneficial genes.
Despite Maria’s healthy lifestyle habits such as abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying socially active, researchers were particularly interested in her daily consumption of a specific food. Maria’s diet included a daily intake of La Fageda, a Spanish probiotic yogurt known for its inflammation-fighting properties, along with a cereal-packed smoothie every morning.
The researchers discovered that Maria had low inflammation levels and genetic variations related to cholesterol and lipid metabolism, factors linked to extended lifespan. Yogurt, known for its health benefits, contains essential nutrients like protein, calcium, and B vitamins, promoting digestive health and potentially boosting the immune system.
Studies suggest that probiotics in yogurt can help with various health conditions, including Covid-19, influenza, gastroenteritis, and common colds. Yoghurt’s contents of trace minerals like zinc, magnesium, and selenium, as well as vitamin D enrichment, further support immune health, aiding the body in combating illnesses like flu and colds.