Dame Joan Collins was right when she said “age is just a number.” A recent study on Maria Branyas Morera, the world’s oldest person before her death at 117 years old, has revealed that extreme old age doesn’t necessarily mean brain failure or illness. Scientists in Spain conducted tests on Branyas and discovered several biological factors that protected her from diseases common in the final stages of life.
Unlike most people who age, Branyas showed signs of protection against illnesses such as cancer and diabetes. Her telomeres, protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, were exceptionally short, which may have prevented cancer by limiting cell division. She also had gene variants that protected her heart and brain cells from disease and dementia.
Researchers used epigenetic clocks to assess Branyas’s biological age, finding that she was at least 10-15 years younger than her chronological age. Her gut microbiome was also youthful for her age, with beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium.
While genetics played a role in Branyas’s long life, lifestyle factors such as not being overweight, eating yoghurt regularly, and having a social life contributed to her longevity. The study’s results hope to inspire scientists to develop new treatments to keep people healthy in old age.
Experts believe that studying supercentenarians like Branyas could provide insights into how to age more gracefully. By identifying specific genes associated with extreme human longevity, researchers can uncover mechanisms for aging and potentially develop interventions to promote healthier lives.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/sep/24/supercentenarian-gives-scientists-insight-on-secrets-of-healthy-old-age