Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a widely used spice rich in various chemical constituents, including phenolic compounds, terpenes, polysaccharides, lipids, organic acids, and raw fibers. The health benefits of ginger are primarily attributed to its phenolic compounds, such as gingerols and shogaols. Accumulated research has demonstrated that ginger possesses multiple biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protective, respiratory protective, antiobesity, antidiabetic, antinausea, and antiemetic activities. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the bioactive compounds and bioactivities of ginger, along with the mechanisms of action. The review highlights the potential of ginger as a functional food or nutraceutical for the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Key findings include the strong antioxidant activity of ginger, which is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, and the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger, which are linked to the inhibition of Akt and NF-κB activation. Additionally, ginger has been shown to inhibit the growth of various bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and to exhibit cytotoxic activity against different types of cancer. Ginger also demonstrates neuroprotective effects, cardiovascular protection, antiobesity, antidiabetic, and antiemetic activities. The review concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to isolate and identify more bioactive compounds in ginger and to conduct well-designed clinical trials to validate its efficacy in human diseases.Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a widely used spice rich in various chemical constituents, including phenolic compounds, terpenes, polysaccharides, lipids, organic acids, and raw fibers. The health benefits of ginger are primarily attributed to its phenolic compounds, such as gingerols and shogaols. Accumulated research has demonstrated that ginger possesses multiple biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protective, respiratory protective, antiobesity, antidiabetic, antinausea, and antiemetic activities. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the bioactive compounds and bioactivities of ginger, along with the mechanisms of action. The review highlights the potential of ginger as a functional food or nutraceutical for the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Key findings include the strong antioxidant activity of ginger, which is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, and the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger, which are linked to the inhibition of Akt and NF-κB activation. Additionally, ginger has been shown to inhibit the growth of various bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and to exhibit cytotoxic activity against different types of cancer. Ginger also demonstrates neuroprotective effects, cardiovascular protection, antiobesity, antidiabetic, and antiemetic activities. The review concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to isolate and identify more bioactive compounds in ginger and to conduct well-designed clinical trials to validate its efficacy in human diseases.