She Lived to 117—and Credited Yogurt With Helping Her Do It
Only a rare few ever celebrate 117 birthdays. For Maria Branyas Morera, reaching that extraordinary age wasn’t just about the number—it was about a lifetime filled with rich memories, global events, love, hardship, and surprisingly practical wisdom.
Before her passing at 117 years and 168 days, Maria was the oldest known living person in the world. And while her age made headlines, it was her quiet insights into life—and longevity—that left a lasting impression.
Among those insights? One unassuming food she swore by: yogurt.
Yogurt Over Hype: Maria’s Everyday Superfood
In a world obsessed with expensive supplements and trendy diets, Maria’s longevity “secret” came from something humble and accessible—something found in most people’s fridges. For her, yogurt was more than a snack. It was a daily act of self-care, a comfort, and even a symbol of endurance.
A Life Spanning Generations
Maria was born in 1907 in San Francisco to Spanish parents and later moved back to Spain, where she spent most of her life.
Her timeline is staggering. She lived through both World Wars, witnessed the Spanish Civil War firsthand, endured the 1918 influenza outbreak, and lived through the COVID-19 pandemic more than a century later. Her life bridged the horse-and-buggy era to the age of smartphones.
She was a mother to three, a grandmother, and a silent witness to more change than most people can imagine. She even outlived one of her children, who passed away at the age of 86.
Maria’s story was one of both global upheaval and personal strength.
“You Need Luck—And a Little Yogurt”
In a heartfelt social media post in 2022, Maria reflected on her incredible journey. “Living this long takes some luck,” she wrote. “And good genetics.”
But she didn’t stop there. She credited several habits for her long life: eating nutritious food, staying emotionally balanced, nurturing relationships, connecting with nature, and perhaps most important—avoiding toxic people.
Maria’s philosophy was straightforward: live intentionally, love deeply, and eat in a way that nourishes both the body and soul.
And for her, yogurt checked all those boxes.
Her “Heavenly Manna”
Maria referred to yogurt as her “heavenly manna”—a phrase that shows how much it meant to her. For over two decades, she ate it daily. She favored plain, natural, creamy yogurt—something simple yet powerful.
She believed in yogurt’s benefits deeply. She referenced both historical and scientific claims, like Bulgarian studies linking yogurt to long life and ancient Persian beliefs that biblical figures like Abraham owed their longevity to it.
Whether legend or science, Maria believed in yogurt as a gift from nature—and treated it as such.
The Science Supports Her
Though it may sound quaint, modern research backs up Maria’s love of yogurt.
It’s loaded with probiotics—good bacteria that support digestion and gut health. But a healthy gut does more than aid digestion. It affects mood, immune function, inflammation, and even cardiovascular health. Some studies suggest a balanced gut microbiome may even help slow aging.
In short, yogurt might not be flashy, but it’s a nutritional powerhouse with real benefits—especially when eaten regularly as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Yogurt, Blue Zones, and Longevity Patterns
Maria’s yogurt habit also echoes what researchers have found in “Blue Zones”—regions where people regularly live past 90 and even 100. These include places like Sardinia, Okinawa, Ikaria, Nicoya, and Loma Linda.
In these areas, people tend to follow simple, sustainable lifestyles: mostly plant-based diets, regular physical activity, strong family ties, low stress, and frequent consumption of fermented foods—like yogurt.
Dan Buettner, who popularized the Blue Zones concept, points out that it’s not just about what these people eat—but how. Meals are eaten with intention and gratitude. Food is part of a daily rhythm, not a rushed obligation.
Maria embodied this mindset beautifully.
Experts: It’s Not Just the Yogurt
Some researchers urge caution about drawing conclusions from individual cases. Aging expert Richard Faragher points to “survivorship bias”—the idea that we only hear from people who live long lives, not the many who lived similarly but didn’t reach old age.
So while yogurt didn’t single-handedly take Maria to 117, it was part of a broader, consistent lifestyle: minimal stress, strong family bonds, wholesome foods, emotional balance, and a dose of good fortune.
Whether or not yogurt was the magic ingredient, it clearly brought her comfort, satisfaction, and a sense of ritual—key elements in any healthy life.
A Life of Grace, Not Gimmicks
Maria’s legacy isn’t about chasing longevity through fads. It’s about the elegance of living simply.
She didn’t buy into trendy diets or miracle cures. She listened to her body. She embraced routine. She made room for joy. Her cup of yogurt each day wasn’t just a health choice—it was a quiet act of reverence.
Her story reminds us that a long life isn’t just about extending time—it’s about filling those years with peace, purpose, and pleasure.
The Takeaway From 117 Years
Maria Branyas Morera’s story isn’t just about record-breaking age—it’s a lesson in how to live well.
What can we learn from her?
- Choose calm over chaos.
- Spend time with people who lift you up.
- Eat simply and mindfully.
- Go outside. Breathe deeply.
- Protect your energy.
- And maybe—find your own version of “heavenly manna.”
For Maria, it was yogurt.
For you, it might be something else.
But whatever it is, make it a part of your daily life—because sometimes, the smallest rituals hold the greatest power.
