Did you happen to see that story the other day on research to do with the “oldest” woman?
Her name was Maria Branyas (an American-born woman living in Spain) and though she was not the oldest on record (simply the oldest living at the time of her death), she lived to be a whopping 117 years old. Researchers investigated numerous aspects of Branyas, including her genes, saliva, habits, tissues, and (excuse this) stool, among others.
Before we get to that, know this critical fact that secular accounts glossed over: Maria Branyas was a deeply religious person. She was often described as having a strong Catholic faith, which played a significant role in her life and routine.
She also avoided stress.
Maria had several unique genetic variations that may have helped her live longer. Examining her chromosomes, they identified various rare genetic variants, some of which were found on DSCAML1—a gene linked to brain health in aging, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive retention. These genetic peculiarities may have played a role in her remarkable longevity, the researchers suggest.
According to the study, Branyas ate three yogurts a day, which likely encouraged healthy gut bacteria to grow and could have contributed to her long life. She ate the typical Catalan diet, which is similar to the Mediterranean diet.
She had no indication of cancer, heart disease or other mortal illnesses. She also never showed signs of dementia. She knew how to use a computer, though she was born before telephones.
And others?
For this we go to the online forum called Quora, where we see posted (from a certified nurse named James Jekson):
“My Mom Made It to 100—Here’s What She Taught Me About Life, Health, and Staying Young at Heart
“I used to joke that my mother had a secret deal with time itself. While others her age slowed down, she kept going—strong, sharp, and full of life. And then, one day, we celebrated her 100th birthday. A century. One hundred years of laughter, resilience, and wisdom.
“I often wondered—what was her secret? Was it genetics? Luck? Or was she just built differently, like an old oak tree that refuses to bend to the storm?
“A Life Well Lived
“She grew up in an era without convenience foods, screens, or stress that never switched off. Her medicine? Whole foods, fresh air, and movement woven into daily life. She walked everywhere, ate meals made from scratch, and never once counted calories—yet somehow, she thrived.
“But her real secret? She never let age define her.
“I remember when she was 85, and I suggested she ‘take it easy.’ She looked at me, laughing, and said, ‘If I stop moving, I stop living. And I’m not done yet.’
“Lessons From 100 Years of Living
- Move Like Your Life Depends On It—Because It Does
She didn’t ‘exercise’ in the way we think of it today. But she walked. She gardened. She stretched. She stayed active not to live longer, but to live better. - Eat Real Food—Not Just to Fill Your Stomach, But to Nourish Your Soul
She never followed a diet, but she ate whole, healing foods—the kind that kept her body strong and her mind sharp. - Laugh, Love, and Let Go
Stress? She had plenty. But she never let it live rent-free in her mind. She forgave easily, found joy in the small things, and believed that worrying only borrowed trouble from tomorrow. - Never Stop Being Curious
At 95, she asked me how to use a smartphone. At 98, she read about ancient healing foods. She never stopped learning, never stopped growing.
“The Real Secret to Longevity
“Looking at her on her 100th birthday, surrounded by generations of love, I realized something: She didn’t just live long—she lived well.
“And maybe that’s the secret. Not chasing youth, but embracing life. Not fearing age, but filling each day with purpose.
“If you ever wonder how to live a life full of vitality, strength, and joy—take a page from my mother’s story. Nourish your body, move with intention, and never stop finding reasons to laugh.
“She made it to 100. And she made it count.
“Maybe we can too.”
[Footnote from the Oxford Longevity Study of half a million participants (“what will make you live longer?”):
- Eating cheese
- Living in a house rather than a flat
- Living in a house with an open fire
- Living with a partner,
- Going to the gym
- Good/long education
- Tanning easily
- High household income
On the other hand, these shorten your life:
- Feeling fed-up or tired
- Financial difficulties in the past two years
- Sleeping and napping too much
These caused premature aging:
- Being relatively shorter or plumper at the age of 10
- Having a mother who smoked around birth
- Smoking oneself
- Being unemployed
- Living in a council house.]