More and more research shows that longevity depends not only on genes but also on what we eat every day. Some common foods quietly nourish the gut microbiome and boost immunity.
Dr. Doan Quang Nguyen, a lecturer in the Faculty of Traditional Medicine at the University of Health Sciences , Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, shared that to achieve a healthy and beautiful appearance, a strong and youthful body, we can learn from the example of Maria Branyas Morera, who once held the world record for longevity at the age of 117.
In-depth research into Maria Branyas Morera's body reveals that the secret to her longevity lies not in possessing perfect genes or completely avoiding disease, but in her body's ability to endure and recover. Specifically, her cells maintain an extremely efficient ability to self-cleanse and regenerate.
"In her diet, yogurt plays a crucial role because it provides beneficial Bifidobacterium bacteria that help reduce inflammation and produce good fatty acids. Therefore, in addition to prioritizing nuts rich in healthy fats, remember to have a cup of yogurt as a dessert. This simple dish will support the gut microbiome in fighting off the attack of fatty, hard-to-digest foods," Dr. Nguyen shared.
Yogurt contains live lactobacillus bacteria that are beneficial for the immune system. PHOTO: LE CAM
What role does yogurt play in maintaining health and longevity?
Research aimed at understanding the reasons behind Maria Branyas Morera's unique biological profile revealed that for the last few decades of her life, she consumed three servings of yogurt daily. Analysis of her gut microbiome showed unusually high levels of beneficial Bifidobacterium bacteria – a type of bacteria that can be boosted by yogurt consumption. Researchers concluded that she possessed a "gut microbiome that increased the likelihood of achieving a long and healthy life."
According to Associate Professor of Microbiology Claus Christophersen at Edith Cowan University (Australia), yogurt is an interesting food because it contains live bacteria, especially the Lactobacillus group. These bacteria are involved in the process of turning milk into yogurt. They use the carbohydrates in milk to produce lactic acid during fermentation, causing the milk proteins to curdle and form the characteristic texture of yogurt. Lactobacillus is an important group of bacteria for gut health, even though we normally only have relatively low numbers of them.
Adding yogurt to your daily diet is beneficial for your health. PHOTO: LE CAM
"As the number of these bacteria increases, the pH in the gut decreases, and that's beneficial. A low pH environment helps to prevent pathogens more easily while creating conditions for beneficial bacteria to thrive," Associate Professor Claus Christophersen explained.
Furthermore, according to Professor Emad El-Omar, Director of the Centre for Microbial Research at the University of New South Wales, St George's Hospital (Australia), besides yogurt, Ms. Branyas did many other things right for her health. She followed a Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts; while limiting processed foods, red meat, added sugar, and refined grains. This diet also provided the right amount of complex carbohydrates, fiber, and many other nutrients, creating ideal conditions for beneficial gut bacteria to thrive.