So today I started to rewatch the ATLA series. I just got to the episode where Bumi makes his first appearance. It got me thinking. Does bending slow down the aging process??

Aang and Bumi were friends around the age of 12 or maybe a little bit younger. 100 years past and now Bumi is now 112 (I'm amusing Aang and Bumi are both the same ages.) To live to be 112 is amazing especially since they don't have modern medicine in their world. Plus Bumi is still able to move around easily and is great shape.

So do you think bending slows down the aging process?

I think it does and Bumi is great evidence to back up this little theory of mine. Plus I think some of the avatars have live beyond 100. I could be wrong though it has been awhile since I watch the series.

I think calling it the aging process isn't right on spot. The proper way to say it in my opinion is that bending keeps the body healthier and stronger. Pretty sure Katara is quite up there in age now in LOK. I'd like to see more of her in the series and her bending abilities.

Oh yes! Katara looks quite old and she did say most of her friends have past. Plus she said Sokka past which kind of helps my theory since he's a non bender. We know Zuko is still alive which makes me wonder if Toph still alive. They never did mention it, but I have feeling she might be dead though.

I missed the part when they said Zuko is still alive. We can already tell in one way how advance Katara is just by the fact she can put her hand on a pregnant woman's stomach to determine if the child will be a bender or not. Also, I'm hoping Toph is still alive since she's the greatest Earth Bender EVER.

I think it has been hinted that Zuko is still alive or it was mention on Nick's website. I can't remember.

Ooo that's a very interesting idea, Yami! I think I like Chikami's idea though; that bending keeps you healthier/stronger, etc.

wow, i was totally gonna say what you said, Chikami! i think that bending keeps you quite active, and an active, healthier life style can extend your life quite a bit.

also toph is the best earth bender. ever.

Avatar Kyoshi lived to be over 200 years old. Fire Lord Sozin was over 100 (but some theorize that was also due to the help of the comet). 

Katara is 84 - 85 and Zuko is 86 - 87.

Though I very much like the idea of benders living longer because they have an active life style.

I still think bending may play a small role because non benders can have healthy/active lifestyles too.

Non-Benders can have an active/healthy life style, but I think where we all are coming from is that bending keeps the body even more active and healthier than a non-bender's body. Aang was technically 112 and lived about another 60 years.

Grant it Aang was frozen for 100 years.

That is why the word technically was written.

Ah! I glossed over that! XD