Healthy
Banana leaves are packed with plant-based compounds called polyphenols such as
epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, which is also found in green tea.
Polyphenols are natural antioxidants that battle free radicals and prevent
diseases. While banana leaves are not easy to digest if eaten directly, the
food absorbs the polyphenols from the leaves, so that you get the benefit of
the nutrition.
Flavorful
Banana leaves have a waxy coating that has a subtle but distinct flavor. When
hot food is placed on the leaves, the wax melts and lends its flavor to the
food, making it taste better.
Eco-friendly
Most people use plastic or Styrofoam plates when they need disposable utensils,
however banana leaves are a much more eco-friendly option. They decompose in a
very short time, unlike plastic, which takes hundreds of years to biodegrade.
Hygienic
Banana leaves do not require a lot of cleaning - they just need to be rinsed
with a little water and they are ready to use. If you are eating at a place
where the hygiene standards are questionable, you are much better off eating
from a banana leaf than from a plate that has not been cleaned properly.