Exploring the Longevity of Maria Branyas
A recent study on the world’s oldest verified living person has unveiled some unexpected insights into extreme longevity.
Maria Branyas, who lived through significant historical events such as two world wars, the 1918 flu pandemic, the Spanish Civil War, and even COVID-19, passed away in 2024 at the age of 117 years and 168 days. She held the record as the oldest verified living individual at that time. Scientists have now delved into her biology in remarkable detail, revealing that the connection between extreme aging and health is more complex than previously thought.
Led by Dr. Manel Esteller from the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, this research represents what some are calling the most comprehensive study on a supercentenarian ever conducted. The team analyzed Branyas’s genome, proteome, epigenome, metabolome, transcriptome, and microbiome using minimally invasive samples from her blood, saliva, urine, and stool.
The findings were published in Cell Reports Medicine. Rather than indicating Branyas managed to escape aging, the study showed her biology reflected two opposing patterns: signals of extreme aging coupled with those of healthy longevity. According to Esteller, it’s a “fascinating duality.”
Signs of Aging
Branyas exhibited clear signs of advanced age. She had very short telomeres, an immune system displaying pro-inflammatory characteristics, an older population of B lymphocytes, and clonal hematopoiesis, a condition where blood stem cells accumulate mutations. These factors are usually linked with higher risks of leukemia and other serious health issues.
However, Branyas did not experience conditions such as cancer, dementia, or significant cardiovascular problems. This notable lack of illness presents an intriguing takeaway: aging and disease can, at times, be dissociated at a molecular level.
Traits of Resilience
Alongside aging markers, Branyas also showed some protective biological characteristics linked to healthy aging.
The researchers identified rare genetic variants associated with immune health, brain function, and heart protection. Her blood analysis indicated a highly efficient lipid metabolism, with low levels of VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides and elevated HDL cholesterol, often labeled as “good” cholesterol. Additionally, she exhibited very low levels of inflammation, which is critical since chronic inflammation is generally seen as a driver of age-related diseases.
Moreover, Branyas had an impressive gut microbiome. There were high levels of beneficial Bifidobacterium, which are known for their anti-inflammatory benefits. This is significant considering these bacteria typically decline with age, although some centenarians and supercentenarians maintain higher levels. Researchers noted that Branyas consumed about three yogurts daily for the last two decades of her life—this habit may have contributed to supporting her gut microbiome, though the study cannot establish causation.
Molecular Youthfulness
One of the most surprising findings emerged from examining her epigenome, which governs gene activity. Epigenetic clocks utilize DNA methylation patterns to gauge biological age, which can differ from chronological age. Across various tissues and methods, Branyas’s biological age was notably younger than her real age—by over 23 years in one assessment.
As stated by the authors, this suggests that her cells “felt” or “acted” younger than they actually were.
While the researchers emphasize that one individual’s biology cannot serve as a universal template for longevity beyond 110, Branyas’s case stands out. She illustrates how a body can show extreme aging signs while evading many of the major adverse health impacts of aging. The authors conclude that these insights could provide new avenues for understanding healthy aging and strategies to enhance life expectancy.
