Spanish researchers analyzed the DNA and biological samples of a woman who lived to be 117 and discovered that her cells behaved significantly younger, suggesting that rare genetic features combined with her lifestyle contributed to her extreme longevity.
Spanish researchers from the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute in Barcelona analyzed the DNA and biological samples of Maria Branyas—the world’s oldest woman, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 117. Their work may help explain the phenomenon of extreme longevity.
The team studied samples of blood, saliva, urine, and stool provided by Branyas during her lifetime. The results showed that the supercentenarian’s cells behaved as if they were significantly younger than her chronological age. The woman was found to have rare genetic variants associated with longevity, a strong immune system, and heart and brain health.
Even at an advanced age, Branyas exhibited low levels of inflammation, low concentrations of “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides, and high levels of “good” cholesterol. Her immune system and gut microbiome maintained parameters typical of much younger individuals.
The scientists note that the combination of genetics and an active lifestyle—including social, mental, and physical activity—along with a Mediterranean diet high in yogurt, played a key role in Branyas’s long life.
An interesting finding was the “significant shortening” of her telomeres—the caps at the ends of chromosomes traditionally linked to an increased risk of death. According to the researchers, in Branyas, this feature may have restricted the growth of cancerous cells, acting as a natural defense.
The study authors, epigeneticians Eloy Santos-Pujol and Alex Noguera-Castells, emphasize that studying a single individual does not allow for general conclusions about aging. However, Branyas’s data aligns with the results of large-scale studies on centenarians.
Supercentenarians are the world’s fastest-growing demographic group, but only about 10% of those who reach 100 live past 110. The research on Maria Branyas, published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, provides a unique opportunity to understand the mechanisms that allow people to live for over a century.
