Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a widely used spice rich in bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds (gingerols, shogaols, paradols), terpenes, polysaccharides, lipids, organic acids, and raw fibers. These compounds are responsible for ginger's diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protective, respiratory protective, antiobesity, antidiabetic, antinausea, and antiemetic effects. This review summarizes current knowledge on ginger's bioactive compounds and their mechanisms of action, highlighting its potential for use in functional foods and nutraceuticals to prevent and manage chronic diseases. Ginger exhibits strong antioxidant activity, primarily through the Nrf2 signaling pathway, which increases glutathione (GSH) levels and reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS). It also has anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting pathways such as PI3K/Akt and NF-κB, reducing inflammatory markers, and enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokines. Ginger demonstrates antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses by inhibiting biofilm formation, reducing pathogen growth, and preventing viral attachment and internalization. Ginger has anticancer properties, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. It also exhibits neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, and cardiovascular protective effects by lowering blood pressure and improving lipid profiles. Ginger can help manage obesity by inhibiting adipogenesis and enhancing fatty acid catabolism. It has antidiabetic effects by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing blood glucose levels. Ginger is effective in alleviating nausea and emesis, particularly in chemotherapy patients, and has protective effects against respiratory disorders by reducing airway inflammation and improving bronchodilation. Additionally, ginger has hepatoprotective and antiallergic effects, and it may contribute to longevity. The review also compares ginger with shell ginger, noting similar biological activities but with ginger having additional neuroprotective, respiratory protective, and antiemetic effects. Future research should focus on isolating and identifying more bioactive compounds in ginger and investigating their mechanisms of action. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm ginger's efficacy in treating various diseases.Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a widely used spice rich in bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds (gingerols, shogaols, paradols), terpenes, polysaccharides, lipids, organic acids, and raw fibers. These compounds are responsible for ginger's diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protective, respiratory protective, antiobesity, antidiabetic, antinausea, and antiemetic effects. This review summarizes current knowledge on ginger's bioactive compounds and their mechanisms of action, highlighting its potential for use in functional foods and nutraceuticals to prevent and manage chronic diseases. Ginger exhibits strong antioxidant activity, primarily through the Nrf2 signaling pathway, which increases glutathione (GSH) levels and reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS). It also has anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting pathways such as PI3K/Akt and NF-κB, reducing inflammatory markers, and enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokines. Ginger demonstrates antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses by inhibiting biofilm formation, reducing pathogen growth, and preventing viral attachment and internalization. Ginger has anticancer properties, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. It also exhibits neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, and cardiovascular protective effects by lowering blood pressure and improving lipid profiles. Ginger can help manage obesity by inhibiting adipogenesis and enhancing fatty acid catabolism. It has antidiabetic effects by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing blood glucose levels. Ginger is effective in alleviating nausea and emesis, particularly in chemotherapy patients, and has protective effects against respiratory disorders by reducing airway inflammation and improving bronchodilation. Additionally, ginger has hepatoprotective and antiallergic effects, and it may contribute to longevity. The review also compares ginger with shell ginger, noting similar biological activities but with ginger having additional neuroprotective, respiratory protective, and antiemetic effects. Future research should focus on isolating and identifying more bioactive compounds in ginger and investigating their mechanisms of action. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm ginger's efficacy in treating various diseases.