Maria Morera, 117: She had no magic gene, it was probably the snack she ate 3 times daily

Living till the age of 117 years and 168 days sounds almost mythical, but for Maria Branyas Morera, known to scientists as M116, it was her reality. Born in San Francisco in 1907 and later settling in Spain, Maria wasn’t a celebrity, but her story has now become a scientific marvel. Researchers from the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute studied her biology to uncover what made her live so long, and what they found was fascinating.

There wasn’t a single “super gene” behind her life. Instead, her longevity was built on a blend of biology, lifestyle, and a very humble daily habit: eating yoghurt three times a day.

For over two decades, Maria enjoyed three servings of yoghurt daily, morning, afternoon, and night. It wasn’t part of a fad or diet trend; it was simply something she liked. But this small act turned out to have an enormous impact on her health.

Researchers discovered that Maria’s gut microbiome, her inner ecosystem of bacteria, was similar to that of someone decades younger. It was rich in Bifidobacterium, a beneficial bacterium known for reducing inflammation and promoting better metabolism. These bacteria thrive in yoghurt containing strains like Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, which she consumed regularly.

According to Cell Reports Medicine (2024), this consistent intake of probiotic-rich yoghurt possibly reshaped her gut environment, keeping it youthful and resilient, a key factor in her healthy aging.

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