There aren’t many individuals on Earth who will ever know what it’s like to blow out 117 birthday candles. For Maria Branyas Morera, living past that amazing milestone wasn’t simply a number; it was a life full with history, love, hardship, and unexpected wisdom.
Maria was the oldest living person in the world when she died at the age of 117 years and 168 days. She got a lot of attention not just for her long life, but also for her thoughts on what made her live so long.
Yogurt was one of the numerous things she learned that stood out.
Maria’s “secret” to a long life was something most of us can find in our fridge. This is a time when people are looking for magic pills, exotic berries, and rigorous diets. For her, it was more than simply a snack; it was a daily ritual, a source of comfort, and even a sign of strength.
A Life That Lasts for Centuries
Maria was born in San Francisco in 1907 to Spanish parents. She later moved back to Spain, where she would spent most of her life. It was a great existence.
She saw two World Wars. She was there for the Spanish Civil War. She lived through the terrible flu epidemic of 1918 and then lived long enough to see COVID-19 more than 100 years later. Two global pandemics that changed generations happened at the beginning and conclusion of her life.
Maria wasn’t just a witness to history; she was a part of it that will last forever. She raised three kids, watched the world change with radio, TV, and smartphones, and outlived her oldest son, who died at 86.
Her tale is a remarkable mix of personal and global strength. Maria never said she had all the answers, even though a lot of people asked her for her “secrets.” She often claimed that luck was a big part of why she lived so long, which is something that most people don’t think about.
“Being lucky is also a part of living a long life.”
Maria posted on social media in 2022 to share her own opinions on why she had lived so long.
“I think luck plays a role in how long you live.” She wrote, “Luck and good genes.”
But she didn’t stop there. Maria was quick to give credit to other things as well, like eating healthy, keeping her emotions in check, building relationships, spending time in nature, and most importantly, staying away from toxic individuals.
Her message was both simple and deep: eat carefully, live with purpose, and be around love instead of worry.
For Maria, yogurt was the best dish that showed that idea.
Her “Heavenly Manna” was yogurt.
Maria didn’t just eat yogurt as a snack; it was sacred to her. For more than 20 years, she named it her “heavenly manna” and made it a part of her everyday life. It was natural, simple, and creamy, and she thought of it as something that gave her dignity and self-respect as well as food.
She believed in its power so much that she used examples from both old and new science. Maria regularly talked about a Bulgarian study that linked yogurt to a longer life. She also liked Persian traditions that said eating yogurt every day was linked to Abraham’s long life in the Bible.
That might sound strange or even like a fairy tale, but Maria’s love of yogurt wasn’t based on blind faith; it was based on a profound trust in nature’s simplest offerings.
The Science Behind a Snack for a 100-Year-Old
Some people might think it’s strange that Maria loves yogurt so much, but research backs her up more than you might expect.
Yogurt is full of probiotics, which are good microorganisms that help keep your gut healthy. A healthy stomach does more than just help with digestion. Studies have found that it can improve mood, boost the immune system, and lower inflammation. Some studies even suggest that probiotics may help keep your heart healthy and slow down the aging process.
Yogurt is basically a quiet powerhouse. It doesn’t offer big promises, yet it has benefits that go throughout the body. Eating it regularly as part of a balanced diet will really help your health and maybe even help you live longer.
The Blue Zones and the Strength of Daily Rituals
Researchers have also found that people in the “Blue Zones,” which are places throughout the world where people often live into their 90s and beyond, adore yogurt.
Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), Nicoya (Costa Rica), and Loma Linda (California) are some of these sites. There are certain commonalities across these communities: they eat a lot of plants, they incorporate physical activity into their everyday lives, they have strong social relationships, they reduce stress, and yes, they eat fermented foods like yogurt a lot.
Dan Buettner, the researcher who made the Blue Zones idea famous, has spent years looking at the habits of the people who live the longest. And while not every person over 100 eats yogurt, fermented foods high in probiotics are common in these areas.
But what really strikes out is not simply what these folks eat, but how they eat: with purpose, thankfulness, and regularity. A lot like Maria.
Is the yogurt really the point? Experts Give Their Thoughts
Some scientists, of course, warn us not to put too much stock in reports of centenarians. Richard Faragher, a biogerontologist, talks about “survivorship bias,” which means that we only hear the stories of people who had long lives and not those who did the same things and didn’t.
Maria didn’t live to be 117 just because she ate yogurt. Genetics, the environment, and plain old luck probably had a big impact.
Maria’s life choices weren’t random, though. She believes in living quietly, being close to family, avoiding negativity, and eating healthy foods, all of which are known to help people live longer. It was evident that yogurt made her happy, and it might have even added some years to her life.
A Simple and Graceful Legacy
The number 117 isn’t the only thing that makes Maria’s story so poignant; it’s how she lived those years. She wasn’t following the latest fads or diets. She followed her gut, paid attention to her body, and lived life with grace.
She didn’t eat yogurt every day because she wanted to be cool or because she was preoccupied with health. It was about making a peaceful moment, a habit, a ritual that made her happy. Maria found peace in a spoonful of something simple in a world full of noise.
She shows us that living a long time isn’t only about adding years; it’s also about making those years better. It’s about getting up with a goal, laughing with the people you care about, eating things that are good for your body, and ignoring the bad voices that don’t help you find serenity.
A Last Lesson from a Life Well Lived
Maria Branyas Morera’s story is more than just a footnote in the Guinness World Records. It’s a map that shows you how to live a longer and better life.
What can we learn from her legacy?
Be more aware while you eat. Don’t get involved in drama. Less stress, more walking. Find your own “heavenly manna,” that one little thing you do every day that makes you feel complete.
And maybe, just maybe… It all starts with a cup of yogurt.
