Most of us would do all we can to extend our life by a few years – but how would you feel about reaching the grand old age of 123?
María Antonia Cuero’s identity card states she was born in October 1901 – some 13 years before World War 1 had started.
This reportedly makes her the oldest person in the world, surpassing the current Guinness World Record held by French woman Jeanne Louise Calment who lived to 122.
The National Records of Scotland state that as of mid-2023, there were an estimated 1,000 centenarians in the country.
Marion Dawson (1913 – 2024) was the oldest living person in Scotland. Born in Houston, Renfrewshire, she lived to 111.
But at 123, María Antonia Cuero beat this Scottish record long ago. However, her ID card has not yet been officially authenticated, meaning she has not been recognised for it as of yet.
In Colombia, her most recent birthday celebration attracted friends, family and even the National Police of Cali, who all wanted to mark the incredible milestone, reports Surrey Live.
Her age has captured huge interest and she spoke on the TV programme Los Informantes about how she has achieved such an extraordinarily long life.
She explained that routine, exercise and philosophy on life played a part in her grand age, but she also shared two key foods that she believes helped her live longer. Here are the foods she named.
Fish
The centenarian grew up in a big family of 10 siblings in Mayorquín, Buenaventura, and she explained that she used to catch her own food.
“I would fry the fish and then mix it with coconut and rice,” she told a reporter.
Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and its health benefits have been proven over the years. A 16-year-long study by the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Washington found in 2023 that a diet with plenty of fish helps with longevity.
This research concluded that a specific omega-3 known as DHA (mainly found in oily fish but also white fish and sea food) had links to a 40 per cent decrease in death by coronary heart disease.
Bananas
Maria was also asked if it was true that she ate plenty of bananas. Replying, she said: “The bocadillo bananas. The small ones.”
Bocadillo bananas are also called ‘sugar bananas’ or ‘lady finger bananas’, and they are also found in Venezuela.
The reporter in the documentary added: “Until a few years ago, she used to say that the key to living a long life, at least in her case, was to laugh a lot and worry little, live outdoors, walk a lot and sit little, eat fresh fish, and hopefully swim and row.
“What are you afraid of?”, the reporter then asked Maria.
She replied: “I am not afraid of anything anymore.”
It has been previously claimed that regularly eating bananas can boost life expectancy.
Dietitian Juliette Kellow and nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer agree, explaining that the potassium in bananas protects against high blood pressure.
The experts also said potassium counterbalances the hypertensive effects of sodium in the body while reducing chances of developing kidney cancer.
Writing in their book, Eat Better Live Longer – Understand What Your Body Needs To Stay Healthy, they said: “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 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.”
They recommended people eat between three and four bananas a week.
María Antonia Cuero
María has spent most of her life in Buenaventura. She has eight children, 26 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 54 great-great-grandchildren.
While the two foods she mentioned certainly helped, she also explained how laughing, not worrying, living outdoors, walking, swimming and rowing have helped her to reach well over 100.
Dr Juan Manuel Anaya, clinical immunologist and director of the Centre for Research and Innovation in Health of Coosalud (CIISA), spoke with newspaper El Tiempo about the remarkable woman.
She said: “She is not yet in the Guinness World Records because the work has not been done for the world to know about this case.”
But she added that efforts were under way to change that.