The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) improves longevity while cutting the risk of cancer and diabetes by half, scientists have found

A five-day diet which mimics fasting could slow down ageing, add years to life, boost the immune system and cut the risk of heart disease and cancer, scientists believe.

The plan which restricts calories to between one third and a half of normal intake has been developed by academics at the University of Southern California.

Last year the same team discovered that fasting can regenerate the entire immune system, bringing a host of long-term health benefits.

But now they have found that a calorie-restricted diet comprising of vegetable soups and chamomile tea has the same affect. And dieters only need to follow the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) for five days a month, eating what they like for the rest of the time.