It’s no secret that what you eat affects your skin.

If you eat a lot of refined white sugar, for example, it makes the collagen in your skin break down faster. And less collagen means more sagging and wrinkles.

So it’s best to avoid refined sugars, or at least eat them sparingly.

However, if you want younger-looking skin, it isn’t just about avoiding bad foods ... it’s also about enjoying more of the good foods!

There are foods with powerful anti-aging properties, which help plump up your skin and fend off fine lines and wrinkles.

So what are these foods?

Here are 5 of my favorites...

#1 Watermelon

A lot of people think watermelon is bad because it has sugar. But while watermelon does contain fruit sugar, like all other fruits it’s nearly 92% water. Just because it tastes sweet doesn’t make it high in sugar.

Watermelon also has a low glycemic load, meaning that your blood sugar doesn't change much after eating it.

And watermelons have a lot of skin benefits, too. For example, they’re chock-full of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that fights the free radicals that speed up aging. Studies have also found that watermelon reduces inflammation in your skin.

Plus, watermelon has a slight sun protection factor, acting as a natural sunscreen. (Though it’s NOT a replacement for using actual sunscreen! Think of it as a bonus SPF only.)

#2 Pomegranate

Pomegranates prevent wrinkles in three ways:

One, they’re a natural source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that fights wrinkle-causing free radicals.

Two, they contain a nutrient called anthocyanin, which boosts collagen production.

And three, pomegranates protect your skin from UV damage. And UV damage is the primary cause of skin cancer and photoaging (brown spots, wrinkles, broken capillaries, and uneven skin texture).

#3 Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Italian actor Sophia Loren — now 85 years old — swears by olive oil as her  anti-aging secret.

And the science backs her up. Olive oil is full of antioxidants that fight free radical damage. It’s also rich in vitamins A, D, K, and especially skin-nourishing vitamin E.

Most important, olive oil contains a powerful compound called squalene. Squalene naturally hydrates your skin and even helps support collagen levels.

#4 Walnuts

Walnuts are a great source of protein and copper, a mineral that boosts collagen production.

They’re also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, another important anti-aging nutrient. Omega-3s help support the walls of skin cells, keeping them “bouncy.”

As a bonus, one study even linked walnuts with greater health and longevity in women.

Researchers found that women in their 50s and 60s who ate at least two servings of walnuts per week were more likely to enjoy better health and well-being as they aged than women who didn’t eat walnuts.

#5 Maple Syrup

Yes, maple syrup. Maple syrup is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.

But here’s the secret:  you don’t eat the maple syrup; you put it on your skin.   

Mix 1 tablespoon of warm milk with 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup. Then mix in 3 tablespoons of finely ground oats. Take the mixture and gently massage it onto your face. Leave it on for up to 20 minutes, then rinse completely and follow with a moisturizer.

So... try to get more of these foods into your diet (or onto your face, in the case of maple syrup).

Not only will a nutrient-rich diet help you look younger than your age, but you’ll probably feel younger, too!