Three Brazilian sisters with a combined age of 316 years have been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living trio of siblings, drawing the attention of scientists seeking to uncover the secrets of exceptional longevity.

The sisters—Levita de Deus Nunes, 109, Zoraide de Deus Mota, 104, and Zulina de Deus Nunes, 103—live in Rio de Janeiro and were identified through LongeviQuest, a global organization that verifies longevity records in partnership with Guinness World Records.

Their remarkable ages have made them part of the DNA Longevo Project, a research initiative led by scientist Mayana Zatz at the University of São Paulo. The project aims to identify the biological and genetic factors that contribute to healthy aging and exceptional lifespan.

The sisters attribute their long lives to simple habits, including eating fresh food and maintaining an active lifestyle. Zulina recalled spending her childhood swimming and fishing in rivers, noting that fresh food was the norm before refrigerators became common. Zoraide also emphasized the importance of breastfeeding for children's health.

Despite their extraordinary longevity, the sisters led ordinary lives. Levita worked as a craftswoman before joining a television network, Zoraide was a nurse and mother of five, while Zulina devoted herself to raising six children as a homemaker. Looking back on her life, Levita said she has no regrets and remembers her childhood and youth with gratitude.

Researchers believe the sisters' case could provide valuable insights into why some people remain physically and mentally healthy well beyond the age of 100. According to LongeviQuest CEO Ben Meyers, the sisters' longevity likely reflects a combination of strong genetic factors and a supportive family environment.

Scientists involved in the study will compare the DNA of centenarians with that of people who developed frailty, chronic illnesses or cognitive decline later in life. By identifying protective genes associated with healthy aging, researchers hope to better understand how the body preserves heart health, muscle strength and brain function at advanced ages.

The research team aims to study at least 500 centenarians, believing that a larger sample size will provide more reliable evidence about the genetic foundations of exceptional longevity.