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What was her secret to a long life?

Living till the age of 117 years and 168 days sounds almost mythical, but for Maria Branyas Morera, known to scientists as M116, it was her reality. Born in San Francisco in 1907 and later settling in Spain, Maria wasn’t a celebrity, but her story has now become a scientific marvel. Researchers from the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute studied her biology to uncover what made her live so long, and what they found was fascinating.

There wasn’t a single “super gene” behind her life. Instead, her longevity was built on a blend of biology, lifestyle, and a very humble daily habit: eating yoghurt three times a day.

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A centenarian’s simple ritual

For over two decades, Maria enjoyed three servings of yoghurt daily, morning,

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