Want To Eat Like Penélope Cruz? Her Spanish Mediterranean Diet Is Linked To Longer Life

The Spanish Mediterranean lifestyle that shaped stars like Penélope Cruz, Rosalía, and Eva Longoria is getting renewed scientific validation. While celebrities are often associated with cutting-edge wellness trends and expensive routines, a new longevity study suggests one of the simplest and most culturally rooted habits may be the real secret to living longer. The renewed interest comes on the heels of research into the life of María Branyas Morera, who died last year at the age of 117 and remains one of the oldest documented people in history. Scientists found she carried rare protective genetic traits, but they also emphasized something far more universal. She spent her entire life eating the Spanish Mediterranean diet that millions grow up on. This is the same food culture behind the everyday routines of some of Spain's most globally recognized figures.

For Cruz and Rosalía, the Spanish Mediterranean approach to food isn't a celebrity trend; it's heritage. For Longoria, who explored the country's culinary identity in her CNN series "Searching for Spain," it's a way of life worth documenting. Her series spotlighted how Spain's regions treat food not as a fad or temporary health hack, but as a cultural foundation passed down across generations.

Meals built around olive oil, vegetables, legumes, yogurt, fresh produce, and regional ingredients remain cornerstones of daily cooking in much of the country. That everyday simplicity, researchers say, may be a real contributor to why Spain consistently ranks among the longest-lived populations in the world.

The renewed spotlight comes from scientists examining the lifestyle of María Branyas Morera. While her genetics certainly played a role, researchers pointed out that she lived her entire life eating the same Spanish Mediterranean staples that dominate kitchens across Spain. In other words, her longevity wasn't tied to a diet trend or wellness craze. It was built on everyday food culture.

Health researcher and writer Robin Keuneke has long explored the link between Spanish food traditions and long-term wellness. In her book "The Iberian Table: Healthy Cooking Secrets from the Land of Longevity," she outlines how Spain's everyday ingredients align with many of the same dietary patterns scientists consistently find in people who live the longest. Her work mirrors what celebrities and scientists are now reinforcing, which is that the Spanish Mediterranean style of eating isn't just flavorful, but it's biologically protective.

Penélope Cruz has long credited her health and lifestyle to the same Spanish Mediterranean eating style now gaining renewed scientific attention. In a 2011 interview with The Daily Mirror, the actress made it clear that the diet isn't a Hollywood trend for her, but it's home. "I love Spanish food. My diet is the Mediterranean diet, which is good food. I eat well, but I try to eat healthily," she shared.

That commitment runs deep. Speaking to Hello! Magazine, Cruz explained how she tailors the Mediterranean framework to her body's needs. "I try to avoid dairy and sugar, and I can't eat gluten because I have a big intolerance," she admitted. "I eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and quality protein from free-range animals."

She also noted the importance of hydration and lifestyle choices, adding, "I also drink gallons of water now, which is something I wasn't doing. I barely drink alcohol, and I quit smoking years ago. I don't miss that in my life."

Longoria's CNN series "Searching for Spain" amplified the cultural significance of Spanish cooking just as Hollywood stars were leaning into cleaner eating and more intentional routines. "Eleven generations ago, one of my ancestors left Spain for the New World and a new life. 400 years later, I'm back. To see how the land and its people have created one of the world's most exciting cuisine," Longoria said in the series trailer, which debuted earlier this year.

The timing pushed the conversation beyond trendy meal plans and toward a simple, sustainable, culturally embedded way of eating that has existed for centuries. Paired with new research, the resurgence of interest feels inevitable.