Current research highlights T. majus as a "functional food" with several health-promoting properties:

The garden nasturtium ( Tropaeolum majus L.), native to South America and a member of the Tropaeolaceae family, has evolved from a simple ornamental plant to a subject of significant agricultural, culinary, and pharmaceutical interest. Known for its vibrant yellow-to-red flowers and distinctive peltate (shield-shaped) leaves, this species is highly valued not only for its landscaping utility but also for its dense phytochemical profile.

The petals are particularly rich in anthocyanins—specifically pelargonidin 3-sophoroside —which account for approximately 91% of their total anthocyanin content.