The food a 117-year-old woman ate three times a day: gastroenterologist reveals its longevity benefits

Learn about the daily meals of a 117-year-old woman and the longevity benefits revealed by a gastroenterologist.(Image: Pexels)

Most people aim for a healthy, long life as part of their fitness goals. While workouts play an essential role, a good diet is equally important. A paper published in the journal Cell Reports studied a US-born Spanish woman, Maria Branyas Morera’s blood, saliva, urine, stool, and genome after her death. She lived for 117 years and 168 days, passing away in August 2024, shortly after being declared the world’s oldest living person.

Branyas followed a clean lifestyle. She did not smoke or drink alcohol, worked for as long as she could, followed a Mediterranean-style diet, and did moderate exercise. What stood out about her lifestyle, however, was her consumption of yogurt three times a day. While most people have it just once, this was unusual.

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A post shared by Dr. Joseph Salhab (@thestomachdoc)

Dr Joseph Salhab took to his Instagram account to highlight the benefits of consuming yogurt, explaining why it makes for a great longevity food. He wrote, “Yogurt is linked to a lower risk of colon cancer and colon polyps, stronger and healthier gut bacteria, better immunity, and a reduced risk of chronic disease.”

He added, “This lady lived to 117 years old, and scientists were intrigued by one food that she ate three times a day: yogurt. Now, yogurt isn’t some magic pill that’s going to make you live forever, but studies show that it’s one of the most protective foods you can eat.”

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Some of the other benefits of yogurt include making your gut bacteria healthier and stronger. It can be consumed either alone or with vegetables. It can also be paired with a number of other foods, as Dr Salhab shared the way he eats it: “As a doctor, this is one food that I never skip eating every single day. I pair it with chia seeds, honey, dark chocolate, and even fresh fruit,” he added.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.