Oldest Person In The World Credits Local Diet For Long Life

On September 3rd, when most of America is planning Labor Day picnics and attending parades, an indigenous woman who’s spent her entire life in the Amazon will become the oldest known person in the world.

Maria Lucimar Pereira is one of the Kaxinawá tribe and never lived outside the western Brazilian Amazon. On Saturday she will turn 121 years old. She says she will spend her birthday with her family.

When asked about the secret to her longevity, Pereira says eating a diet full of foods that are native to the forest she inhabits, like grilled meat, fish, manioc (a root vegetable), and banana porridge, helped her to stay active and healthy. She does not eat salt, sugar, or any processed foods.

“All too often we witness the negative effects forced change can have on indigenous peoples,” said Survival International’s Director Stephen Corry. ”It’s refreshing to see a community that has retained strong links to its ancestral land and enjoyed the undeniable benefits of this.”

Carlos, a community leader. told Survival that despite her advanced age, Pereira is still able to walk around the village sharing stories, and visits her grandchildren in neighboring areas. She only speaks Kaxinawá (not Portuguese), and occasionally travels to the nearest town, Feijó.

And although Pereira holds the record as the oldest, attaining ages of 100 or more does not appear uncommon in her village. Carlos says out of its 80 inhabitants, four are over 90 years old. They eat natural foods, and do not use soap or any artificial products from the city.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Laurita W.

8:42PM PDT on May 6, 2012

I am sure that eating real food, not toxic non-food stomach fillers (like chips and sodas and sugar and white flour cakes, cookies, fake ice cream!) contributes to her longevity, as well as a lower stress level due to her simpler lifestyle.

send a green star

Manuela B.

4:57PM PDT on May 3, 2012

she is doing the right thing for her mind and body. don't many of us wish we could do that.....

Rodney P.

7:03AM PST on Jan 1, 2012

This is real amazinf.

Sarah M.

9:45PM PDT on Nov 1, 2011

Wow! Amazing! This is perfect proof that modern society has it all wrong! She looks so great, I hope she lives for years to come.

Julianna D.

10:40PM PDT on Sep 24, 2011

This is amazing!!

Roger B.

8:11AM PDT on Sep 22, 2011

It is funny how the position of oldest person in the world keeps changing. We have the position of the world's fastest human, and that has remained the same for many years. GWB was the most powerful person in the world for 8 years. But the world's oldest person keep changing so quickly.

Sheri P.

9:48PM PDT on Sep 21, 2011

WOW!!

Melinda offline K.

7:43PM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

There is really nothing like simplicity for health! I thought the oldest person alive was Joan Rivers.... :-)

Dan B.

3:29PM PDT on Sep 16, 2011

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