Maria Branyas Morera, then known as the world’s oldest living person, made a poignant final request before she passed away: “Please study me.” This plea was directed to Dr. Manel Esteller, the esteemed chairman of genetics at the University of Barcelona’s School of Medicine.
Last summer, Maria died at the incredible age of 117 in Olot, Spain.
Dr. Esteller and a substantial team of colleagues dutifully fulfilled her wish. They meticulously analyzed her blood, saliva, urine, and stool samples in an attempt to unravel the mysteries behind her exceptionally long life.
Their findings, detailed in a paper published recently in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, suggest a multifaceted explanation. Part of her longevity can be attributed to her diligent self-care: a strict adherence to a Mediterranean diet, abstention from smoking and alcohol, and consistent daily walks until mobility became an issue in the early 2000s. Crucially, researchers also believe Maria won a “genetic lottery,” possessing variants thought to protect against common health adversaries like high cholesterol, dementia, heart disease, and cancer. Dr. Esteller noted that “her cells appeared younger than her chronological age.”
Furthermore, the microbial community within her body, her microbiome, was linked to low inflammation levels. It boasted a rich supply of beneficial Bifidobacterium, a type of bacteria often stimulated by yogurt — a food Maria consumed three times a day. Dr. Esteller highlighted that “elevated inflammation levels are closely tied to accelerated aging.”
Immaculata De Vivo, a molecular geneticist at Harvard University who was not involved in the study, found the researchers’ explanations for Maria’s longevity to be “scientifically reasonable.” However, she advised caution when interpreting data from individual cases, contrasting them with large, well-controlled population studies. She explained that while genetics and metabolic factors might influence disease susceptibility, “disease causation typically involves probabilities rather than absolute certainties.” In essence, simply having advantageous genes and a healthy microbiome doesn’t guarantee an extended life.
Dr. Mary Armanios, an oncologist and geneticist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, expressed some skepticism. She questioned the certainty of claims that certain genetic variants can predict longevity. The genetics of lifespan are notoriously complex, she explained, noting that studies comparing younger individuals with centenarians don’t confirm if the younger group will actually reach 100 years of age. A truly predictive genetic profile is what’s needed, she emphasized, acknowledging its difficulty to obtain.
Dr. Armanios further stressed that genetics and a robust microbiome are far from the complete picture of exceptional longevity. She pointed to significant differences in life expectancy tied to education and income, citing a stark 20-year gap between inner-city and suburban residents in Baltimore. While acknowledging that detrimental genetics can certainly shorten a lifespan, she remained unsure if beneficial genetics alone could surmount deep socioeconomic challenges.
Despite the scientific complexities, Maria Branyas Morera herself demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout her life. Born in San Francisco in 1907 to Spanish immigrant parents, she returned to Spain with her mother at age eight after her father’s death. She married and had a son, who passed away at 52, and two daughters, now 92 and 94. While her extended family succumbed to common ailments such as Alzheimer’s, accidents, cancer, tuberculosis, kidney failure, and heart disease, Maria continued to thrive.
She seemed to possess all the hypothesized prerequisites for a long life. Her genetic variants likely offered protection from chronic diseases, and her lifestyle was exemplary. Dr. Esteller noted her strong social network, explaining that she continually cultivated new friendships as old ones passed. Her family also remained rooted in the same town. Maria maintained her independence until 2001, when walking difficulties necessitated a move to a nursing home. She continued to play the piano until approximately five years before her death. “She lived a truly healthy life,” Dr. Esteller affirmed.