Maria Branyas Morera, who passed away at the age of 117 in Spain last August, had scientists intrigued by her long life. According to experts, a study by genetic professor Manel Esteller and his team from the University of Barcelona unveiled that Morera’s cells were acting 17 years younger than they actually were. It was found that her microbiota in the intestines, comprised of bacteria crucial for health, resembled that of a baby. The research results were announced by the prominent Catalan newspaper Ara earlier this month. Scientists emphasized that not only Branyas’ genetic heritage, but also her healthy lifestyle choices played a significant role in her long life. It was revealed that Morera followed a Mediterranean diet including three yogurts a day, avoided alcohol and cigarettes, made daily walks a habit, and constantly lived surrounded by family and loved ones. These factors were highlighted to have contributed to her maintaining both physical and mental health. Genetic experts believe that the study on Branyas could contribute to the development of new drugs and treatments for age-related illnesses. Esteller and his team mentioned that genetic data could change the perception that aging and diseases are inevitably linked. Maria Branyas Morera, born on March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, lived her life in Catalonia after her family returned to Spain in 1915. Throughout her life, she witnessed major global events such as the Spanish Civil War, World War II, the 1918 flu pandemic, and Covid-19. Although she tested positive for Covid-19 in 2020, she overcame the illness asymptomatically. After the death of French nun Lucile Randon in 2023, she was recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest person in the world. Describing her long life as being a result of “routine, peace, good relationships with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, carefree living, and staying away from toxic people,” Branyas passed away on August 19 at a nursing home in Olot, Spain, where she spent her last two decades. Experts believe that this study on supercentenarians will provide a new perspective for scientific research aiming to extend human life. According to LongeviQuest data, the current oldest person in the world is 116-year-old Brazilian, Inah Canabarro Lucas.