Scientists from around the world examined the lifestyle of Maria Branyas Morera, who lived to 117 years old, aiming to identify factors behind her remarkable lifespan. A distinctive habit emerged: she consumed plain yogurt three times daily. This dietary pattern is increasingly recognized for its association with key indicators of healthy aging and is gaining scientific support.
Examining the Gut Microbiome of a Supercentenarian
Born in San Francisco in 1907, Maria moved to Catalonia at eight and spent most of her life there. She embraced a rural, low-pollution setting and adhered to a Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, legumes, fish, and fermented dairy. Her lifestyle excluded alcohol and tobacco, while she maintained strong social ties and preserved both mental acuity and physical independence well into old age.
In a study published on the BioRxiv platform, researchers from Spain's Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, led by Dr. Manel Esteller, performed a multiomics investigation into her biology. They discovered her telomeres—caps at chromosome ends that typically shorten with age—were longer than those of many younger people.
Additionally, her mitochondrial function, essential for cellular energy, remained remarkably intact, indicating a youthful metabolic state. A standout finding was the dominance of bifidobacteria and other beneficial gut microbes linked to reduced inflammation and strong immunity. The researchers attributed her frequent consumption of plain yogurt as a critical factor in sustaining this rare gut microbial profile.
Yogurt Consumption Associated with Lower Mortality Rates
To assess if these findings extended beyond one individual, scientists at Central South University in China analyzed data from 186,000 British adults, tracking their yogurt intake over several years.
The study showed that eating as little as 50 grams of yogurt daily—around half a typical portion—correlated with an 18% decrease in premature death risk from any cause. This benefit appeared regardless of the yogurt’s fat content, emphasizing the role of live probiotic cultures over nutritional fats.
These probiotics, especially lactobacilli, ferment sugars into lactic acid, acidifying the intestines and suppressing harmful bacteria while promoting beneficial strains like bifidobacteria.
Certain lactobacilli strains also generate antimicrobial agents and strengthen the gut lining, thereby boosting immune defense.
The Impact of Yogurt on Gut Health
The human gut hosts trillions of microorganisms integral to digestion, nutrient synthesis, inflammation control, and disease prevention. Disruptions in this complex ecosystem, known as dysbiosis, are connected with chronic illnesses including type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and some cancers.
Edith Cowan University's microbiologist Claus Christophersen noted that probiotics from yogurt can linger temporarily in the digestive tract, especially within the small intestine where many immune cells reside.
Specifically, in the Peyer’s patches of the small intestine, these bacteria interact with dendritic cells that regulate immune responses. The milk fat in yogurt also provides protection against stomach acid, increasing chances that beneficial microbes reach the colon alive.
However, Clare Collins, a nutrition expert at the University of Newcastle, cautioned that highly processed yogurts loaded with sugars and additives can undermine the activity of these microbes.
For optimal gut support, she advises eating unsweetened natural yogurt containing live strains like Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, matching the type Maria Branyas favored.
Longevity: A Complex Interplay of Factors
Researchers stress that yogurt isn’t a lone factor in extreme longevity. Instead, it contributes to a larger framework involving genetics, nutrition, exercise, and social engagement. Maria’s life exemplifies the harmony of these elements.
Genetic investigations revealed she possessed rare variants promoting DNA repair, resistance to oxidative stress, efficient mitochondrial function, and brain adaptability. Her biological markers—longer telomeres, few somatic mutations, and strong mitochondrial health—aligned with decelerated aging.
Her lifestyle—comprising a minimally processed diet, regular activity, family support, and a serene environment—likely reinforced these genetic advantages. Nonetheless, her steadfast yogurt consumption appeared to nurture her gut microbiome, complementing and enhancing these other beneficial factors.
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