Maria Branyas, the Catalan woman who became the world’s oldest recorded person at 117 years old, has left much more than a record: her body is an authentic laboratory of longevity. A study by the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, published in ‘Cell Reports Medicine’, reveals how her biology combined signs of extreme ageing with surprisingly robust health traits.
The work, led by Dr. Manel Esteller, analyses saliva, blood and urine samples from Branyas taken before her death in 2024. According to the researchers, those who reach supercentenarian ages don’t do so through simple ageing delay, but thanks to a “fascinating duality”: signs of advanced age and characteristics of healthy longevity coexisted in her body.
Key findings include genes related to heart and brain protection, a young microbiome similar to that of a child, and a biological age up to 17 years younger than her actual age. However, signs of typical age-related wear also appeared, such as very short telomeres and a more inflamed and aged immune system.
Despite this, Branyas never suffered cancer, dementia nor any serious illness, making her case a unique model for differentiating ageing from disease. For scientists, these discoveries offer clues about how to counteract the effects of ageing and could inspire new strategies for preventing haematological diseases like leukaemia.
The study points to factors such as a balanced diet, maintaining active social relationships and avoiding harmful habits as possible allies in her longevity. “Maria Branyas’s life shows us that extreme longevity isn’t just a matter of genes, but of a delicate balance between different biological factors,” explains Esteller.
The study has received public funding from the Generalitat de Catalunya, the European Community and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
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