5 Secrets Longevity Of The World’s Oldest Person

Maria Branyas Morera was recorded as the world’s oldest person until her death in August 2024 at the remarkable age of 117 years and 168 days. Her exceptional longevity was recently analyzed in a study titled “The multiomics blueprint of the individual with the most extreme lifespan,” published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine.

The study discussed several key factors behind the long life of Morera, who was born in the U.S. to Spanish parents and spent the vast majority of her life in Spain. Here are the habits that contributed to her healthy life and extreme lifespan:

1. The Mediterranean Diet

Diet significantly impacts health. Morera, who was born on March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, U.S., followed the Mediterranean diet, widely regarded as one of the healthiest diets globally.

This diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, healthy fats, and olive oil. These foods are proven to benefit the heart, brain, and overall health. The diet also includes moderate amounts of fish and poultry, low-fat dairy products, while limiting red meat, sweets, and processed foods.

2. Daily Long Walks

Morera maintained an active lifestyle without needing a daily gym routine. Because she lived in a rural area, she preferred to walk for an hour a day. Walking is the simplest form of exercise and is strongly linked to improved overall health and longevity. A 2024 study by Griffith University researchers found that people in the most active quarter of a U.S. community had a 73 percent lower risk of death than the least active.

3. Eating Unsweetened Yogurt

Yogurt was an integral part of her daily diet. Morera loved it so much that she regularly consumed three servings of unsweetened yogurt a day. Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria like Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, which are known to enhance gut health, a key factor in longevity.

Additionally, yogurt is beneficial for weight management, reducing body fat, improving insulin resistance, and lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.

4. Strong Social Life and Hobbies

Morera’s secret to longevity included maintaining a robust social life. Living in the countryside, she prioritized spending quality time with her family and friends. Her hobbies included playing with her dogs, reading, gardening, and playing the piano.

A large 2023 study involving over 28,000 Chinese participants found that frequent socializing is associated with a longer lifespan. The researchers found that the time to death was delayed by 110 percent in those who socialized at least once a week, and by 87 percent in those who socialized almost every day, compared to individuals who never socialized.

5. Abstinence from Smoking and Alcohol

Crucially, Morera never smoked or drank alcohol. Consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is a major contributor to chronic diseases, including an increased risk of various cancers. Avoiding both was undoubtedly one of the fundamental keys to Morera’s exceptional longevity.