Scientists unlock key to long life in DNA and diet of 117-year-old-woman

Apparently, the key to living a long life isn't the Fountain of Youth, but it could simply be eating the same thing three times a day.

While Worldometer puts the average global lifespan at 73.3 years in 2025, the top of the list is Hong Kong with an impressive 85.63 years compared to Nigeria at the bottom with 54.64 years.

Still, Hong Kong's figures pale in comparison to Maria Branyas Morera, an American-Catalan supercentenarian who lived until the age of 117.

At the time of her death in August 2024, Morera was the oldest person in the world after taking over from Lucile Randon (living to 118) following her death in 2023.

While most of us can't ever imagine getting anywhere near that age, others are obsessed with finding out Morera's 'secret' that helped her live to 117.

Now, scientists think they've cracked the code by looking at her DNA and very particular diet.

Local paper ARA reports how University of Barcelona genetics professor Manel Esteller led research into the life and times of Morera.

The woman herself said it was 'luck and good genetics' that helped her live so long, and while some of that is true, Esteller has another theory.

The team had started looking into Morera's DNA before she died, discovering that her inherited genes meant her cells behaved as if they were 17 years younger than they actually were. Even more interesting, her microbiota was the same as an infant child.

It's said that Morera remained in good health apart from suffering deafness and joint pain toward the end of her life. She also remained lucid until her last few months.

Esteller explained: "In Maria Branyas we found a combination of rare variants in multiple genes and pathways (immune system, cardioprotection, brain activity and mitochondrial metabolism) that probably acted together to promote her extraordinary longevity."

Xavier Aldeguer, coordinator of the digestive and microbiota research area at the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), also highlighted Morera's 'Mediterranean diet' which included three yogurts a day. It's thought that this kept the population of her intestinal bacteria at healthy levels.

Aldeguer wants to study the microbiota profile of other supercentenarians to see whether we can "develop some types of prebiotic patterns that are associated with longevity."

Esteller hopes the study can potentially open the doors to creating drugs that can promote longevity while reducing the deterioration of our bodies that's caused by age.

With Morera's cells behaving much younger than they should've at her age, he concluded: "This study reinforces the idea that ageing and disease can, under certain conditions, be separated, challenging the common perception that they are inextricably linked."

If you want to live to 117, it could be time to up your yogurt intake and see if it changes anything.