World’s oldest woman says two foods have helped her ‘reach 123 years old’

If accurate, this would make her the oldest person in the world, surpassing the Guinness World Record held by Frenchwoman Jeanne Louise Calment who lived to be 122. However, her identification has not been officially verified, so she has not yet received recognition for this achievement.

Despite this, her most recent birthday celebration in Colombia drew friends, family, and even the National Police of Cali, all eager to commemorate this incredible milestone. Her longevity has sparked widespread interest, and during an appearance on the TV show Los Informantes, she shared her secrets to living such a long life.

Routine

While routine, exercise, and life philosophy played a role, she also highlighted two key foods: fish and coconut. Growing up in a large family of 10 siblings in Mayorquin, Buenaventura, Maria explained how she caught her own food.

“Good fish. I would fry the fish and then mix it with coconut and rice,” she told a reporter. The health benefits of fish, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, have been well-documented over the years, reports Surrey Live.

A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Washington over 16 years involving 2,692 senior adults, found in 2023 that a diet rich in fish promotes longevity.

Vitamins

Groundbreaking research has discovered that individuals with elevated omega-3 levels tend to outlive those with lower concentrations by an impressive two and a half times on average.

Moreover, the study highlights a particular type of omega-3 called DHA-primarily found in oily fish and also present in other seafood-which is associated with a 40 per cent reduced risk of dying from coronary heart disease.

This finding echoes endorsements by the British Heart Foundation. Beyond heart health, omega-3’s advantages extend to mental well-being; Dr Jacob Teitelbaum emphasizes: “Getting enough omega-3 is critical for helping depression and other emotional disorders.”

Food

Bananas earned a spot in the discussion after one long-lived individual’s dietary preferences came to light. Revealed to be a fan of fish, Maria was queried about her consumption of bananas, confirming she enjoys: “The bocadillo bananas. The small ones.”

These sweetly flavored bananas, also labeled as sugar bananas or lady finger bananas, stand out for their pleasant taste and texture and are quite popular in Venezuela.

Reflecting on longevity, a documentary reporter shared how Maria previously attributed her extended lifespan to frequent laughter and minimal worry, plenty of outdoor living, lots of walking with scarce sitting, eating fresh fish, and ideally enjoying regular swimming and rowing. When asked about her fears, Maria’s response was brimming with poise: “I am not afraid of anything anymore.”

Dietician

According to dietitian Juliette Kellow and nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer, regularly consuming bananas could potentially extend your lifespan. They argue that the potassium in bananas helps guard against high blood pressure and counteracts the hypertensive effects of sodium in the body, while also reducing the risk of kidney cancer.

In their book, Eat Better Live Longer – Understand What Your Body Needs To Stay Healthy, they state: “Whether you like your bananas slightly green or freckly, they all come with triple levels of mood-boosting powers.

“They are good sources of carbohydrates [fuel for the brain and muscles], and of tryptophan and vitamin B6 [both of which are needed for the production of feel-good chemicals]. What’s more, bananas improve digestion and may help regulate blood pressure. Bananas will ripen at home – if you want to speed up the process, keep them in a bunch or with other fruits.”

More..

They suggest eating between three and four bananas per week. Maria Antonia Cuero, who has lived most of her life in Buenaventura, is the mother of eight children, 26 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 54 great-great-grandchildren.

Dr. Juan Manuel Anaya, a clinical immunologist and director of the Centre for Research and Innovation in Health of Coosalud (CIISA), discussed the extraordinary case with El Tiempo, noting: “She is not yet in the Guinness World Records because the work has not been done for the world to know about this case.” He also mentioned that steps are being taken to rectify this oversight.