Why are people in Brazil living past 110, and what secrets of longevity might they hold?
Story Highlights
- Brazilian supercentenarians offer unique insights into extreme longevity.
- Their genetic diversity is unmatched, revealing new biological insights.
- Resilience rather than healthcare access is key to their long lives.
- Their survival offers lessons on innate biological strengths.
The Genetic Treasure Trove of Brazil
In Brazil, reaching the age of 110 is more than a rare milestone; it’s a scientific enigma. The country’s centenarians and supercentenarians, a group now comprising over 160 individuals, provide a unique genetic window into human longevity. Researchers from the Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center at the University of São Paulo have focused their efforts on these individuals, whose lengthy lives challenge the traditional understanding of aging. Their genetic makeup—an intricate blend of Indigenous, African, European, and Asian ancestry—offers a rare opportunity to uncover the genetic underpinnings of extreme longevity.
What makes these individuals even more intriguing is their resilience. Many have maintained cognitive and functional independence well into their second century, surviving severe infections like COVID-19 without the aid of vaccines. This resilience, researchers say, is attributed more to biological factors than to lifestyle or healthcare access. These findings suggest that Brazil’s genetic diversity, often overlooked in global studies, may harbor variants that bolster immunity and longevity.
People in Brazil are living past 110 and scientists want to know why https://t.co/DaNaDFbOSY
— Zicutake USA Comment (@Zicutake) January 8, 2026
Historical and Genetic Context
The story of Brazil’s genetic diversity begins in the 1500s with Portuguese colonization, followed by the forced migration of millions of Africans and subsequent waves of European and Japanese immigrants. This rich tapestry of genetic backgrounds has created a population that is one of the most genetically admixed in the world. It’s this genetic admixture that researchers believe contributes to the unique resilience and longevity of Brazilian supercentenarians. Unlike other longevity studies, which often focus on homogeneous populations, Brazil’s diverse genetic pool reveals millions of new genetic variants absent in global databases.
In the global context of longevity research, Brazil stands out. Many supercentenarians live in areas with limited healthcare access, yet they reach extraordinary ages. This challenges the notion that medical advancements alone drive longevity. Instead, it underscores the significance of genetic factors and resilience. The study of Brazilian supercentenarians, therefore, is not just about understanding how they live long but also about learning how they defy the odds in environments that are not conducive to long life.
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Lessons from Brazilian Supercentenarians
Brazilian supercentenarians provide invaluable lessons on the potential of human biology. Their survival through severe infections like COVID-19 showcases their robust immune responses, offering insights into immune resilience at extreme ages. Moreover, the presence of familial clusters of longevity—such as a family with multiple members over 100—highlights the heritable aspects of their long lives. This familial pattern supports the idea that genetics play a crucial role in achieving extreme old age.
The implications of these findings extend beyond academic curiosity. They hold potential for developing interventions that can enhance healthspan, the period of life spent in good health, rather than merely extending lifespan. By identifying the genetic and biological factors that contribute to the resilience of these individuals, researchers aim to uncover new pathways for promoting long, healthy lives in broader populations.
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