All 13 siblings of former world's oldest family avoided one thing for their entire lives

It was back in 2017 that the Donnelly family from Northern Ireland officially became the oldest family in the world, cementing their place in the Guinness World Records.

And the secret to long life? Avoid one particular thing as best they could.

With a combined age of 1,075 years, the Donnellys became the oldest set of siblings known to mankind. Comprising of eight brothers and five sisters aged between 71 and 93, they were given their place in the history books while starring in BBC documentary, The World's Oldest Family, looking into how and why the family endured long life.

Growing up in Collegeland on the border of County Tyrone and County Amargh, the oldest sister, Maureen, then 91, said: "We are all as healthy as when we were 50, 60, and some of us even 20 years old. We haven't changed, we don't change, we're in the land of youth."

Common theme for families that live long

Like the Melis family in Italy, who were also once the oldest family in the world, diet is central to living so long.

Over on the island of Sicily, regularly eating minestrone soup with sourdough bread is the key. For the Donnellys, it includes eating plenty of homegrown apples as well as working the land the family owns and playing Gaelic football.

The Donnelly siblings during their younger years (Family Handout)

Leo Donnelly, who was 71 at the time of the record, said: "They talk about these Mediterranean diets and this Japanese sushi, all this and that throughout the world, but we think we've got just as good in our back fields.

"Apples have been running through our veins since before we were born.

"My daddy got into apples in the 1930s."

On top of this, the Donnellys had a particular taste for porridge, eating two bowls a day.

"The key is that you need to get your oats at night," Leo said. "We've always followed daddy's habit of that nice warm bite before sleep.

"Porridge at around 10pm, then again for breakfast at 7am. Cooked oats, milk, a spot of apple jam on top."

The Donnelly siblings when they were awarded their Guinness World Record (BBC)

Avoiding one thing in particular

One thing the Donnellys don't partake in is drinking alcohol.

"There is not a single drinker in this family. It would certainly help," Leo said.

In total there were 16 Donnelly children with three having sadly died. Leo's twin brother, Austin, died months before the Guinness World Record was awarded. He was the sibling to initiate the search to see if anyone was older then the Donnelly clan.

According to the NHS, partaking in a lifestyle without booze lowers your risk of having high blood pressure, as well as lose weight and have a boost in your energy levels.

Ireland's Health Service Executive says that a no alcohol lifestyle lowers blood sugar and blood pressure. You'll also have fewer alcohol-related symptoms, like headaches, heartburn, indigestion and stomach upsets.

Physiologically, there will be less fatty build-up around the liver, you'll sleep better, and you'll absorb nutrients better such as vitamins B1 and B12, folic acid and zinc.