Living to 117, Coughing From Good Olive Oil, Walking at the Next Level
Bite-sized inspiration and information in 4 minutes
Oldest Living Person Reached 117
At a time when the loudest longevity voices tout (or hock) costly practices and products, Maria Branyas Morera, who was the world’s oldest living person until her passing in 2024, reached that admirable supercentenarian age by living a simple life in a small town in Catalonia, Spain.
Born in America in 1907 to Spanish parents who had moved to San Francisco, Maria returned to Spain with her family during World War I and spent the rest of her life there. By modern-day standards of success, her life may appear mundane and unremarkable, but I think her achievements are enviable.
Maria lived through extraordinary historical events, including the 1918 flu pandemic, the Spanish Civil War, two world wars, and the COVID-19 pandemic—which she survived despite contracting the virus at the age of 113. She built a long, strong family tree, including three children, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was officially recognized as the world’s oldest living person in January 2023 and died peacefully in August 2024 at age 117.
During the last decade of her life, her long healthspan came to the attention of Dr. Manel Esteller, geneticist and head of the Cancer Epigenetics group at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute in Catalonia. Over the years, Dr. Esteller and his colleagues tested and studied Maria’s biology through non-invasive tissue sampling as well as by analyzing her genome (DNA sequencing), epigenome (DNA methylation), transcriptome (expression of genes at the RNA level), proteome (expression of genes at the protein level) and metabolism (small molecules such as cholesterol or sugar).
Their findings confirmed that she had an exceptional genetic profile; her cells and gut health were unusually healthy with “genetic characteristics associated with neuroprotection and cardio-protection,” as well as low levels of inflammation. “At the same time, she was devoid of gene variants associated with the risk of pathologies such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and metabolic disorders.”
Additionally, she had a large amount of the beneficial bacteria Bifidobacterium in her microbiome (gut), which boosts the immune system, balances inflammation, regulates metabolism, and helps to digest certain carbohydrates and dietary fibers.
So was her extraordinarily long-lived physiology purely natural? Partly, but scientists also credit her many healthy lifestyle habits, including a strict Mediterranean diet free of excess sugar and alcohol, high in olive oil, fruits, and vegetables, and—it goes without saying—little to no processed food; three daily yogurts, which could account for her robust microbiome; regular daily walking; and very strong social connections.
Maria believed that emotional stability and a sense of connection were essential to her long life. Well past the century mark, she stayed naturally engaged and curious, played the piano, maintained gratitude and perspective, and often credited emotional balance as a major contributor to her longevity.
Her lifestyle was consistent, focused on simple habits. She left us not only with valuable, measurable scientific insights into healthy aging but also with an achievable longevity philosophy for life. She is simply an inspirational example!
Good Olive Oil Should Make You Cough
In keeping with the Mediterranean diet, I am addicted to olive oil. The good stuff. I consume approximately 2 tablespoons daily. I figured that since I gave up alcohol, I could swap my wine budget for high-quality olive oil. Which, by the way, should make you cough.
You read that right. High-quality olive oil can cause a peppery sting or tickle in your throat that triggers coughing because it contains potent natural compounds that lightly irritate the back of your throat. These compounds—especially polyphenols—are strongest in fresh, high-quality, extra-virgin olive oil.
Polyphenols act as antioxidants, reduce inflammation, protect blood vessels, and support longevity.
Smooth, flavorless oils are often older, more processed, or diluted—meaning fewer health benefits.
So if olive oil makes you cough a little, embrace the tickle! It’s an indicator of freshness and loads of protective compounds.
Tip: Look for 100% extra-virgin, first-press olive oil in a dark glass bottle or a metal container and certified organic. One of my favorite Italian brands is Jovial Organic Olive Oil, from a family-run company with a great founder’s story. If that’s not available, I rotate between O Olive Oil & Vinegar Organic California Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Kosterina, a Greek brand high in polyphenols, Kosterina Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. By the way, Kosterina has traditionally fermented olives that are delicious and full of beneficial bacteria—one of Maria’s mainstays.
Japanese Interval Walking Protocol
Another habit high on Maria’s list, walking, is advanced through Interval Walking. I reported on the Japanese HIIT walking protocol in last May’s Lightbulbs & Pearls, and it’s worth a friendly reminder because it is so effective and impactful.
By alternating fast walking with slow recovery, you challenge your heart, which improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens leg muscles, and improves blood sugar control. All without stressing your joints or requiring equipment.
Gentle and effective, the protocol is simply to walk fast for 3 minutes, slow for 3 minutes, and repeat for 30 minutes. It couldn’t be easier to take walking to the next level.
