article image source: wikipedia.org (link)  Maria Branyas in 1925. (Wikimedia Commons/PD)

(What will be mentioned below is for advice and is not a substitute for consulting a doctor)

A new scientific study has revealed that eating three cups of yogurt a day may be one of the secrets to living long, healthy lives. This study analyzed the health of Spanish woman Maria Branyas Moreira, who passed away last year at the age of 117 and was considered the world's oldest person.

Maria, who was born in the United States in 1907 before settling in northeastern Spain, lived for more than a century, experiencing two world wars, the Spanish Civil War, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which she contracted in 2020, without experiencing any symptoms.

The Secret to a Long Life

Throughout her life, Maria maintained that the secret to her longevity was due to "luck and genetics." However, researchers who studied her case believe that diet played a key role, especially yogurt.

She used to eat three cups of yogurt a day, especially the natural, sugar-free variety.

Researchers at the Josep Carreras Institute for Leukemia Research in Badalona, ​​Spain, explained that this routine boosted the beneficial bacteria in her gut, such as Lactobacillus and Streptococcus thermophilus, which have been linked to lower inflammation and improved biomarkers, according to a report published by the British newspaper The Telegraph.

Maria Branyas on her 117th birthday. (Family archive of Maria Branyas Morera/Wikimedia Commons/PD)

Younger Age

Surprisingly, genetic and biological analyses revealed that Maria's biological age was 23 years younger than her actual age, reflecting a direct influence of her dietary habits.

Branyas also followed a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, and olive oil, while minimizing red meat and avoiding saturated fats and processed sugars. She also abstained from smoking and alcohol.

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The Effect of Probiotics and Prebiotics

The study, published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, also showed that Maria's high fiber intake through multigrain drinks acted as a prebiotic, feeding the beneficial bacteria, enhancing the effectiveness of the probiotics in yogurt.

Researcher Eloy Santos, one of the participants, said, "The combination of probiotics and prebiotics in her diet contributed to the creation of a unique intestinal environment associated with longevity and reduced inflammation."

Dr. Manuel Esteller, who supervised the study, emphasized that Maria's case is evidence of the optimal interaction between genetics and dietary habits. He said, "Not everyone who eats yogurt benefits equally, but Maria had a genetic makeup that allowed the yogurt bacteria to function efficiently in her gut."

New Strategies

While scientists believe that the results of this study not only provide an explanation for Maria's longevity, but also open the way for new strategies to improve the health of older adults through diet, and perhaps through the development of future medicines based on genes and beneficial bacteria.

While luck and genetics may remain uncontrollable factors, the researchers emphasize that a balanced diet, rich in probiotics and fiber, following the Mediterranean style, may be the practical key to a longer, healthier life.

Thank you !