Maria Branyas Morera, who passed away in August 2024 at the verified age of 117, has posthumously given the world a masterclass in longevity. Born in San Francisco in 1907, she lived through the Spanish flu, two world wars, and the COVID-19 pandemic before passing away in her adopted home of Catalonia, Spain. Now, a groundbreaking study from the University of Barcelona has revealed exactly how she did it—and the answer centers heavily on what she put on her plate.
Dr. Manel Esteller, who led the research, described it as the most comprehensive genetic and microbiome analysis ever conducted on a supercentenarian (someone living beyond 110). The findings were staggering. Her biological age was a full 17 years younger than her chronological age. Even more remarkable, her gut microbiome was in an extraordinarily healthy, anti-inflammatory state, closely resembling the pristine microbial environment of a thriving newborn infant.
The Anti-Inflammatory Gut: Her Body’s Secret Weapon
What made her gut so special was its abundance of Bifidobacteria, a powerful class of probiotics that is naturally abundant in breastfed infants but typically declines sharply with age. This bacterial profile created a potent anti-inflammatory environment throughout her body. Scientists refer to chronic low-grade inflammation as “inflammaging”—the hidden driver behind many age-related diseases including cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and cognitive decline. Branyas Morera’s infant-like microbiome actively suppressed this process.
Dr. Esteller noted that apart from mobility and hearing difficulties, she suffered no cardiovascular disease and maintained a remarkably sharp mind, recalling events from as early as age four. “It is incredible,” he stated.
Three Yogurts a Day: The Cornerstone Habit
While her genetics undoubtedly gave her a head start, her lifestyle maximized the advantage. Branyas Morera adhered strictly to a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats. However, the standout habit that researchers flagged was her lifelong practice of eating three cups of natural yogurt every single day.
This simple, consistent choice directly fed her microbiome with live cultures, helping to maintain that youthful, anti-inflammatory bacterial balance. Yogurt is a classic fermented food that serves as a direct vehicle for beneficial bacteria. Her case strongly supports the emerging scientific consensus that daily consumption of probiotic-rich foods is one of the most powerful and accessible actions we can take to support long-term health.
A Holistic Blueprint for Longevity
Beyond the yogurt bowl, Branyas Morera practiced what longevity researchers now consider a holistic formula for healthy aging:
- Prioritize Fermented Foods: Natural yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut directly support a healthy gut ecosystem.
- Eat the Mediterranean Way: A diverse, plant-forward diet feeds beneficial gut bacteria with the fiber they need to thrive.
- Avoid Toxins: She never smoked and drank no alcohol.
- Move Daily: Gentle, consistent activity like walking in nature was part of her routine.
- Nurture Social Bonds: Researchers emphasized her deliberate avoidance of toxic relationships and stressful environments.
What This Means for the Rest of Us
The case of Maria Branyas Morera reinforces a powerful paradigm shift in modern nutritional science: the gut microbiome is not just a passenger in our bodies, but a central organ in the aging process. While living to 117 depends significantly on genetic lottery, the habits that supported her extreme longevity are remarkably accessible.
For anyone looking to improve their own healthspan, the lessons are clear. You do not need expensive supplements or extreme regimens. Instead, focus on feeding your internal ecosystem. Each daily serving of yogurt, every walk taken, and each nourishing relationship cultivated is a small investment in biological youth. Her life was not defined by a single miracle food, but by the consistent application of simple, evidence-based practices. Her legacy offers a practical, delicious, and scientifically validated path toward aging well.