Not many people on Earth will ever get to blow out 117 birthday candles. Maria Branyas Morera didn’t just see that magnificent milestone as a number; it was a life full of history, love, hardship, and amazing insight.
Maria was the oldest person in the world when she died at the age of 117 years and 168 days. People were really interested in her not only because she lived a long time, but also because she talked about why she lived so long.
Yogurt was one of her many basic meals that stood out.
Most of us can find Maria’s “secret” to a long life in our fridge. People are hunting for miraculous medications, strange berries, and strict diets these days. And for her, it was more than just a snack; it was a daily ritual, a way to feel better, and even a proof of strength.
A Life That Goes On for Hundreds of Years
Maria’s parents were Spanish, and she was born in San Francisco in 1907. Later, she moved back to Spain, where she would live most of her life. What a life it was.
She lived through both World Wars. She lived through the Spanish Civil War. She survived the horrible flu pandemic of 1918 and then lived long enough to view COVID-19 more than a hundred years later. At the beginning and conclusion of her life, two pandemics that touched the whole planet and many generations happened.
Maria didn’t just watch history happen; she was a part of it for a long time. She had three kids, witnessed the world change with radio, TV, and smartphones, and lived longer than her oldest son, who died at 86.
Her story is a rare blend of personal and global strength. Maria never said she had all the answers, even though a lot of people wanted to know her “secrets.” She often said that luck was a significant reason she survived so long.
“Living a long time also means being lucky.”
In a 2022 post on social media, Maria talked about why she had lived so long.
“I think luck is also a part of living a long time.” “Good luck and good genes,” she wrote.
But it wasn’t all she did. Maria was quick to give credit to other things, like eating well, staying emotionally stable, making friends, spending time in nature, and, most importantly, staying away from bad people.
Her message was both simple and deep: be around love instead of worry, eat consciously, and live with purpose.
Maria thought yogurt was the best food that showed the idea.
Her “Heavenly Manna” was yogurt.
Maria thought yogurt was more than simply a snack; it was sacred. She called it her “heavenly manna” and made it a part of her daily life for more than 20 years. It was creamy, natural, and easy to consume. She thought it was more than just food; it was also something that made her feel good about herself and gave her dignity.
She talked about both old traditions and new science since she believed in its power so strongly. Maria often brought up a Bulgarian research that said yogurt could help people live longer. She also liked Persian stories that suggested Abraham lived a long time because he ate yogurt every day.
Maria’s love for yogurt may seem strange or even silly, but it came from a deep confidence in the simple pleasures that nature gives us.
The Science Behind a Snack for a 100-Year-Old
You might think it’s unusual that Maria loves yogurt so much, but there is more evidence than you might imagine that backs her up.
Yogurt has a lot of probiotics, which are helpful bacteria that help keep your gut healthy. A healthy stomach does more than just help with digestion. Studies show that it can make you feel better, enhance your immune system, and reduce inflammation. Some studies even claim that probiotics may assist your heart stay healthy and slow down the aging process.
In short, yogurt is very good for you. It doesn’t make huge claims, yet it works on the whole body. If you consume it regularly as part of a healthy diet, it can substantially enhance your health and maybe even help you live longer.
The Strength of Daily Routines in Blue Zones
individuals who live in the “Blue Zones,” which are locations around the world where individuals regularly live into their 90s and beyond, also love yogurt, according to researchers.
Some of these places are Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), Nicoya (Costa Rica), and Loma Linda (California). These societies have some things in common: they all eat a lot of fermented foods like yogurt, they all have strong social bonds, they all lower their stress levels, and they all involve physical activity in their daily lives.
Dan Buettner, the researcher who made the Blue Zones theory popular, has been looking at the habits of the people who live the longest for years. And although though not every hundred-year-old eats yogurt, fermented foods strong in probiotics are widespread in these locations.
But what makes them stand out is not just what they eat, but how they eat it: with purpose, thankfulness, and consistency. These people eat in a way that is very similar to how Maria does.
Is it truly about the yogurt? What Experts Think
Of course, some scientists tell us not to believe all we hear about centenarians. Richard Faragher, a biogerontologist, talks about “survivorship bias,” which means that we only hear the stories of those who lived long lives, not those who did the same things and didn’t.
In other words, yogurt alone didn’t help Maria live to be 117. A lot of things undoubtedly had an effect, such genetics, the environment, and just plain luck.
But Maria’s choices in life weren’t random. She believes in living a peaceful life, being close to family, avoiding negative people, and eating nutritious foods. People realize that all of these things can help them live longer. It was clear that yogurt made her happy and maybe even added a few years to her life, whether it was the magic bullet or simply one piece of a greater puzzle.
A Heritage of Grace and Ease
Maria’s tale is amazing not just because of the number 117, but also because of how she lived those years. She wasn’t trying to follow the latest trends or go on fad diets. She paid attention to her body, followed her gut, and lived with grace.
She didn’t eat yogurt every day because it was cool or because she was worried about her health. It was about creating a moment of peace, a habit, or a routine that made her feel good. Maria found calm in a teaspoon of something simple in a world full of noise.
She reminds us that living a long life isn’t only about adding years; it’s also about making them better. It’s about waking up with a purpose, spending time with people you love, eating healthy foods, and dismissing the bad voices that don’t help you achieve peace.
A Final Lesson from a Life Well Lived
Maria Branyas Morera’s story is more than simply a footnote in the Guinness World Records. It’s a plan that will make your life longer and better.
What can we learn from what she left behind?
Pay more attention to what you eat. Don’t get entangled in drama. Less stress and more walking. Find your own “heavenly manna,” that one thing you do every day that makes you feel whole.
And maybe, just maybe… It starts with a cup of yogurt.