DNA Study Decodes How Maria Branyas Morera, World’s Oldest Person, Lived Till 117

Living a long and healthy life is no mean feat. Especially in today’s world, which is full of pollution, diseases and stress. One woman, however, defied all these odds and lived till 117 years. We are talking about Maria Branyas Morera. She received the title of the oldest living person in the world. A recent study of her DNA has made interesting discoveries about what factors led to her longevity. Let’s take a look at.

Who Was Maria Branyas Morera?

Maria Branyas Morera was honoured by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest person – between the time period January 17, 2023 and August 19, 2024. The American-Spanish woman was a supercentenarian – someone who lives till or surpasses the age of 110. This is a huge and rare achievement. It is said that only around 1 in 10 people in the world can live such a long life. Maria passed away last year.

Maria was among the oldest people who survived Covid-19. She contracted the virus in April 2020, at the age of 113. To unearth the secrets of her longevity, a team of researchers studies her genetics, microbiome and lifestyle.

Maria Branyas Morera’s DNA Study

The chairman of Genetics at the University of Barcelona's School of Medicine, Dr Manel Esteller, conducted the study. He spent three years analysing Maria’s health. The study was recently published online. It found out that the clues for extreme longevity are a mix between what one inherits from parents and how they live their life.

Maria Branyas Morera Lived a Healthy Life

What was remarkable is that Maria Branyas Morera not only lived a long life, she lived a healthy one — free of cardiovascular disease, cancer or dementia.

Maria Branyas Morera, the study discovered, had very good genes that acted as a shield against many disorders and genetic variants. She didn't smoke or drink alcohol. Her diet was rich in fish, olive oil and yoghurt. In fact, she ate three yoghurts a day.

The study noted that "whether the dominance of the Bifidobacterium [beneficial gut bacteria] related genus is fully attributable or not to the yogurt diet cannot be completely confirmed since that would have required a longitudinal study with sample collection over several years. However, we believe that it is likely that a beneficial effect of yogurt ingestion via modulation of the gut ecosystem could have contributed to her well-being and advanced age."

Tips For A Long Life

Though genetics might play a crucial role in longevity, lifestyle is said to be an equally important factor. On this note, let us take a look at some of the healthy habits one can incorporate for a longer life:

• Avoid overeating
• Quit Smoking
• Follow Mediterranean diet
• Lose Weight
• Be Active
• Prioritise Sleep
• Manage Stress

Also Read: https://www.onlymyhealth.com/eating-dinner-at-7-pm-is-key-to-a-long-life:-study-1700967642

Can Diet Impact Longevity?

Foods which are natural sources of antioxidants, fiber, minerals, and vitamins are good for health. Such a diet can control weight and lower the risk of diseases linked to early death. Here are some foods that may give you longer and healthier life:

• Vegetable and fruits
• Nuts
• Herbs and spices
• Whole grains
• Pulses
• Green tea

Limit consumption of these foods and drinks:

• Added sugar (such as cakes, candy, cookies, ice cream, and soda)
• Alcohol
• High-sodium foods
• Saturated fat (butter, cheese, palm and coconut oils, and processed and red meat)

Takeaway

Maria Branyas Morera’s DNA study revealed that longevity is a result of different factors like genetics and lifestyle. Along with healthy genes, she had a diet rich in fish, olive oil and yoghurt. Maria never smoked or drank as well.