A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California has revealed that a new diet followed just five days out of the month could improve several health measures.

In the study, the researchers concluded on the long-debated topic of fasting and its benefits. Study’s lead researcher Valter Longo, director of the USC Longevity Institute said, "Strict fasting is hard for people to stick to, and it can also be dangerous, so we developed a complex diet that triggers the same effects in the body. I've personally tried both, and the fasting mimicking diet is a lot easier and also a lot safer”.

The study involved 19 participants and the diet described in the study dubbed the ‘Fasting Mimicking Diet’ is not quite as extreme as actual fasting.

The trial restricted calorie intake to 750-1050 calories a day that included a very strict regimen of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and micronutrients.

For 25 days out of the month, dieters ate normal food. Then for day one of the diet, they ate 1,090 calories, 10% protein, 56% fat and 34% carbohydrates.

For days two through five, 725 calories they ate, 9% protein, 44% fat and 47% carbohydrates. Participants consumed a lot of vegetable soup and chamomile.

The study found that the patients who fasted intermittently fasted for three months had reduced risk factors for a range of issues, which include aging, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease.