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USP Research Shows Why Some Brazilians Live Over 100 Years with Health and Resilience to Diseases.
What allows some people to live to 100 years or even surpass 110 while maintaining their health? The answer is being sought by Brazilian scientists, who released a groundbreaking study conducted at the University of São Paulo (USP) on Tuesday (06/01/2026).
The study analyzed Brazilian supercentenarians — people over 110 years old — to understand how they avoid common age-related diseases, such as cancer and dementia.
The investigation was conducted through genetic, cellular, and immunological analyses, with data collected in Brazil, and indicates promising pathways to understanding human longevity at extreme ages.
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Published in the scientific journal Genomy Psychiatry, the work reveals that these individuals possess unique biological mechanisms that function as a kind of “natural protection” against the wear and tear of time.
USP Research Shows That Brazilian Genetics Favors Longevity
One of the central findings of the research is the role of Brazilian genetic diversity. According to the scientists, the mixing of indigenous, European, African, and Asian peoples has created a rare genetic landscape in the world, favoring the identification of protective variants associated with longevity.
Genomic studies have identified over 8 million unique genetic variants within the Brazilian population, which do not exist in major international databases.
This factor helps explain why Brazil hosts some of the oldest men on the planet and a high proportion of supercentenarian women.
Additionally, close relatives of centenarians have a higher likelihood of also reaching advanced ages, reinforcing the importance of genetic inheritance in the process of living to 100 years or more.
The Three Biological Pillars That Help You Live to 100 Years
By delving deeper into cellular analyses, Brazilian scientists identified three main mechanisms that sustain the health of supercentenarians over the decades.
1. Immune System Adapted to Aging
While the immune system typically weakens with age, supercentenarians exhibit functional adaptation.
They show a greater presence of CD4+ cytotoxic T cells, which are responsible for combating infections and eliminating defective cells, even after 100 years.
This balance helps reduce chronic inflammation and protects against typical aging diseases.
2. Efficient Cellular Cleanup Keeps the Organism Functional
Another decisive factor is the so-called cellular cleanup, a scientific process known as autophagy. This is an internal mechanism that eliminates damaged proteins and structures within cells.
In supercentenarians, this cleanup remains active at levels similar to those of young adults.
This prevents the accumulation of cellular waste that accelerates aging and favors degenerative diseases, directly contributing to longevity.
3. More Stable DNA Reduces Risk of Serious Diseases
The USP research also identified rare variants in genes related to DNA repair. In practice, this means that the cells of these individuals can correct themselves more efficiently throughout their lives.
This process reduces dangerous mutations, preserves genetic organization, and decreases the risk of cancer and cellular failures associated with extreme aging.
Brazilian Supercentenarians Surprised Even During the Pandemic
The biological robustness of these individuals became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even before vaccination, researchers monitored Brazilian supercentenarians who contracted the virus and recovered.
They exhibited elevated levels of antibodies and natural defense proteins, demonstrating an immune response superior to that of the average population, which reinforces findings on immune adaptation and longevity.
Research Opens Paths to Aging Better in the Future
According to Brazilian scientists, understanding how these mechanisms work can help develop strategies to improve the quality of life for the general population.
Although there is no magic formula for living to 100 years, the results indicate that genetics, biological diversity, and balanced cellular functioning are key pieces.
Thus, the research led by USP not only seeks to explain exceptional lives but also to offer clues for healthier, more active aging with fewer diseases in future generations.
O fator genético é o principal elo da longevidade. Exemplo na minha familia: da família do meu pai, o mais novo é ele com 86 anos, depois um irmão 88, sua irmã 89 e seu irmão mais velho com 90. Todos estão bem de saúde e acho que alguns vão chegar a 100 anos. O meu pai bebeu muito e adquiriu epilepsia alcoólica, está com 86, mas não tem doenças degenerativas e acho que chega aos 90 anos. Mas os outros três chegam aos 100 anos.