The Spanish woman also revealed the one food item she religiously consumed and that contributed to her long life.
The internet is loaded with dietary tips and tricks that promise to extend one's lifespan. But no one better to talk about longevity than the centenarians around the world. Recently the demise of the world's oldest person, Maria Branyas, who lived until the age of 117 has been making it to the headlines. The supercentenarian, who goes by @MariaBranyas112 on X, often shared about her lifestyle on the platform. In December 2022, Branyas revealed the not-so-unique dietary regime that helped her stay healthy for over a century. One food item that she swore by for longevity is surely astonishing.
Born on March 4, 1907, Branyas celebrated her 117th birthday this year. Turns out, she hadn't followed any unique dietary routine to live so long. In her post from two years ago, the supercentenarian explained, "Many people ask me what diet I follow to live so many years. I have always eaten little, but everything, and I have never followed any regime. I have not suffered from any illness or been through an operating room." She attributed her longevity to "being lucky," and added, "Luck and good genetics."
Moltes gràcies per les felicitacions. El meu agraïment, de cor, a totes les persones que ahir em vareu manifestar el vostre afecte, respecte i boniques paraules.
— Super Àvia Catalana (@MariaBranyas112) March 5, 2024
“Només amb un somriure que em facis tot passant, ja m’omplo d’alegria i veig el món més gran” (Joana Raspall) pic.twitter.com/upzeZhyeCi
But there were also other aspects of our lifestyle that Branyas considered important to extend one's lifespan. "Good nutrition, the lifestyle we lead, order, tranquility, good connection with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, lots of positivity and away from toxic people," read her list of significant factors. Apart from knowing their limits while eating, Branyas emphasized the need for mental well-being too.
Molts em pregunten quina dieta segueixo per viure tants anys. Jo sempre he menjat poc, però de tot, i mai he seguit cap règim. No he patit cap malaltia ni he passat per un quiròfan. Penso que la longevitat també és tenir sort. Sort i una bona genètica. I tant important és 👇 pic.twitter.com/wtwvUAMKF3
— Super Àvia Catalana (@MariaBranyas112) December 10, 2022
To top it all, Branyas revealed one simple food item that she piously consumed for years and believed was the secret to her long life - yogurt. "A piece of advice, if you'll allow me. In an age where diets and miraculous foods for well-being and health are constantly emerging, it is necessary to save yogurt, a lifelong food with an infinite number of positive properties for the body," Branyas shared in the thread. She even highlighted the Bulgarian study that backed her belief that "regular consumption of yogurt extends life."
I un consell, si em permeteu. En una època en què constantment sorgeixen dietes i aliments miraculosos per al benestar i la salut, cal rescatar el iogurt, un aliment de tota la vida amb una infinitat de propietats positives per a l'organisme. Un estudi búlgar, sosté que el seu 👇 pic.twitter.com/0tJn905VVK
— Super Àvia Catalana (@MariaBranyas112) December 10, 2022
"According to Persian tradition, Abraham's longevity originated in the prolonged consumption of yogurt. I drink La Fageda yogurt every day. A natural, tasty, creamy yogurt with a special taste of dignity, self-esteem, confidence, tolerance and responsibility," Branyas pointed out. This yogurt had been the supercentenarian's "heavenly manna" for over two decades before she passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 19 this year.
La Maria Branyas ens ha deixat. Ha mort com ella volia: mentre dormia, tranquil·la i sense dolor.
— Super Àvia Catalana (@MariaBranyas112) August 20, 2024
Fa uns dies ens deia:
“Un dia me n'aniré d'aquí. No tornaré a provar cafè, ni a menjar iogurt, ni a acaronar a la Fada..., deixaré també els meus records, les meves reflexions... 👇
The grandma's priceless advice had the internet taking notes. "Many young people should pay attention. A lady, with the globality of this word, who has always known how to be at the height of the circumstances, sometimes positive, sometimes not so much, but always with a positive and generous spirit," said @graboignasi. "Note that yogurt is on the third step of the food pyramid. Recommended but without overdoing it (much better fruit and if it can be local and without preservatives so much better). You really are enviable. I will try to follow your tips, I think they are the key," remarked @cserventbattle. "My mother did like you: she ate everything in small quantities and yogurt every day. She died at 96. Very good health," added @ShaudinMF.