She lived to the age of 117 without suffering the usual decline tied to aging. How?
Maria Branyas Morera, known in scientific circles as “M116,” stunned researchers with not just her longevity, but the quality of life she maintained well into her final years.
Her biology, studied in depth by scientists, looks more like that of someone decades younger—especially in her gut health, immune system, and metabolism.
From genetic clues to daily habits (like eating yogurt three times a day), her secrets to living a longer, healthier life offer valuable insights for the rest of us.
This article breaks down what really made M116 so unique—and what science says you can do to increase your own health span.
Jump to:
- A Longer Life, Rooted in Biology and Behavior
- Younger-Looking Gut: The Power of Probiotics
- Immune System That Didn’t Age Normally
- Efficient Metabolism and Fat Processing
- Short Telomeres, Yet Still Healthy
- Rare Genes That Offered Protection
- Biological Age: 23 Years Younger
- Limitations of the Study
- What Can We Learn and Apply?
A Longer Life, Rooted in Biology and Behavior
Maria Branyas Morera wasn’t just an exceptional outlier. A recent study published in Cell Reports Medicine shows how multiple systems in her body appeared to resist aging in ways that are deeply interconnected. The research included a comprehensive “multiomics” analysis, meaning researchers looked at her genetics, epigenetics, gut microbiome, metabolism, and immune function.
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Her body was sampled through blood, saliva, urine and stool, and compared to other centenarians and younger individuals. The big takeaway? There’s no singular “longevity gene.” Her long life came from many small, yet significant, advantages.
Younger-Looking Gut: The Power of Probiotics
One of the most fascinating findings was M116’s gut microbiome. Despite her age, her gut closely resembled that of someone half a century younger.
Researchers found unusually high levels of Bifidobacterium, a genus of beneficial bacteria associated with lower inflammation and stronger immunity. A likely explanation? Her consistent yogurt consumption—three servings every single day.
Her yogurt of choice was rich in Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, known catalysts for boosting Bifidobacterium populations in the gut.
That’s more than 1,000 yogurt servings a year. It wasn’t a trendy superfood tactic—it was a sustainable habit with proven biological benefits.
Immune System That Didn’t Age Normally
As most people age, their immune systems weaken—marked by a drop in vital T cells and a rise in chronic inflammation.
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M116 defied this trend. Researchers found she had a strong pool of cytotoxic T cells capable of fighting infections and detecting cancerous cells. Even more impressive, low levels of chronic inflammation were observed—a hallmark of healthier, slower aging.
This robust immunity likely played a critical role in her ability to stave off disease well into her twilight years.
Efficient Metabolism and Fat Processing
While cardiovascular disease is a common threat as the body ages, M116’s lipid profile was admirable. She maintained high HDL (good cholesterol), low triglycerides and low VLDL (very low density lipoprotein)—a trio associated with a lower risk of heart disease and dementia.
This efficient lipid metabolism was an internal advantage she may have inherited, but it also aligns with her overall body function seeming “younger” than her chronological age suggested.
Short Telomeres, Yet Still Healthy
Here’s where the research got fascinating. M116 had extremely short telomeres—those protective caps at the end of DNA strands that usually shorten with age and signal higher risk of age-related illness.
And yet, she remained remarkably healthy. This upends a traditional view that short telomeres always mean bad news. For her, telomeres may have been more of a “clock” than a predictor of diseases.
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It reminds us that aging is far more nuanced than any one biomarker.
Rare Genes That Offered Protection
Genomic testing revealed a few rare genetic variants that may have offered her protection against common diseases.
For example:
- DSCAML1 and MAP4K3: Likely fortified her immune system.
- LRP1 and LRP2: Supported strong cardiovascular health.
- NSUN5 and TTBK1: Possibly protected her cognitive function.
In addition, she lacked certain harmful gene variants often associated with Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and accelerated aging.
Biological Age: 23 Years Younger
Using an “epigenetic clock,” which measures how old your cells act based on gene expression, her biological age was determined to be 23 years younger than her actual age. That’s not just impressive—it’s unheard of.
This may explain why she retained mobility, cognitive clarity, and immune strength into her final years.
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Limitations of the Study
Though remarkable, the research had a few caveats. Biological measurements like telomere length came from mixed immune cell types, which may not fully reflect systemic aging.
Other key aging mechanisms such as autophagy (cleansing of damaged cells) and cellular senescence weren’t deeply explored.
Lastly, lifestyle habits—exercise routines, sleep patterns, specific medications—were not adequately assessed in the study, despite being influential in aging trajectories.
What Can We Learn and Apply?
You may not have M116’s genes, but many of the lifestyle factors linked to her success are within reach.
- Eat probiotic-rich foods daily: Yogurt, kefir, miso, sauerkraut and kimchi all support a diverse gut microbiome.
- Manage inflammation: Prioritize anti-inflammatory foods like berries, fatty fish, olive oil, and green leafy vegetables. Reduce stress and stay active.
- Boost immune health: Regular moderate exercise, quality sleep and adequate micronutrients (vitamin D, zinc, etc.) make a difference.
- Stay socially and mentally active: M116 regularly walked, played piano and surrounded herself with loved ones.
Longevity is an orchestra—not a solo. It’s the result of many systems working together in harmony over decades.
As M116’s story shows, a long life isn’t just about more years—it’s about more years with vitality.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
