Only a few people live past the age of 100, and reaching 117 puts you in a class by yourself. Maria Branyas Morera, once hailed as the world’s oldest living person, died at the age of 117 years and 168 days. Her longevity aroused global interest, but she also revealed what she believed contributed to her extraordinary lifespan. Among the many lifestyle aspects, one specific dietary item stood out in her regular routine: yogurt.
Maria’s Life: 117 Years of Experience and Resilience
Maria Branyas Morera was born in the United States but lived the majority of her life in Spain. Her longevity allowed her to see some of modern history’s most major events, such as World Wars I and II, the Spanish Civil War, the Spanish Flu epidemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who outlived her eldest child, August, who died at the age of 86.
A Myriad of Factors
While many people speculate about the secret to her long life, Maria herself attributes it to a combination of things. In 2022, she expressed her ideas on social media, saying, “I think longevity is also about being lucky. Luck and good genetics”.
However, luck was not the only role. Maria believed that her diet, emotional health, and relationships with loved ones were all important. She highlighted the significance of proper eating, connecting with nature, maintaining mental stability, and avoiding toxic people.
The Power of Yogurt
Yogurt held a special place in her diet above all others. In an era when people are looking for superfoods and miraculous diets, Maria reminded us of the benefits of a modest staple: yogurt. She credited this “lifelong food” with having favorable benefits on the body and the capacity to lengthen life. Maria described yogurt as her “heavenly manna” for 20 years, characterizing it as a natural, pleasant, and creamy dish that represented dignity, self-esteem, and confidence.
Maria’s fondness of yogurt was more than just a personal preference. She cited a Bulgarian study that demonstrated regular yogurt consumption could increase life, and she even linked it to Persian tradition, which claimed Abraham’s longevity was due to his daily use of yogurt.
Blue Zones and Diet’s Role in Longevity
While Maria’s conviction in the significance of yogurt in her long life is intriguing, a closer look at worldwide longevity patterns reveals more scientific support. Diet is important in areas known as the Blue Zones, where people live extraordinarily long lives, such as Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), and Nicoya (Costa Rica). Yogurt, which is high in probiotics and good bacteria, could be an important component of a diet that promotes lifespan.
Dan Buettner, a Blue Zones expert, identified many non-negotiable habits shared by centenarians from these places. Plant-based diets, natural exercise, stress reduction, and social connectedness are some examples. While not all of these long-lived people eat yogurt, fermented foods and a probiotic-rich diet are regular staples in many Blue Zone diets.
The Limitations of Centenarian Advice
While it is tempting to accept centenarians’ lifestyle recommendations at face value, several specialists advise against it. Biogerontologist Richard Faragher points out that centenarians are frequently genetically endowed with features that enhance lifespan, making their counsel less useful to the typical person. Faragher warns against survivorship bias, claiming that just because some people have lived long lives with certain practices does not imply that those habits caused their longevity.
However, this does not reduce the significance of Maria’s approach to life. Maintaining relationships with loved ones, remaining cheerful, and eating nutritious foods like yogurt are all consistent with broader health and longevity research.
