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Anti-inflammatory & anti-oxidant
Consuming ginger may help to decrease muscle soreness, inflammation, and relieve osteoarthritis pain.
 
 
It’s far from a sure thing (data is mixed), but one theory is that ginger may inhibit COX (cyclooxygenase) and LOX (lipooxygenase), making it anti-inflammatory. NSAIDs work in a similar fashion, but only inhibit COX (leading to upregulation of LOX).
 
Since ginger appears to inhibit both COX and LOX, it can lead to a lower production of chemical messengers like LTs (leukotrienes), TNF (tumor necrosis factor), and PGs (prostaglandins). This occurs systemically and at the site of inflammation, helping with pain relief. Unlike NSAIDs, ginger doesn’t appear to harm  the stomach or kidneys (in normal amounts), and may even have anti-ulcer properties.
 
 
Nausea
Ginger might help decrease nausea from chemotherapy, motion, pregnancy, and surgery. But data is mixed. It seems most effective for nausea related to pregnancy and surgery.
 
Ginger works by inhibiting serotonin receptors, exerting anti-nausea effects at both the brain and gut level. It may also decrease the release of vasopressin, diminishing nausea related to motion.
 
 
Digestion
Ginger has been valued as a digestive aid since the Middle Ages. Ginger can calm over-active stomach contractions, allowing stomach contents to enter the intestines (this may also help to decrease heartburn). It also contains an enzyme called zingibain that may assist in protein digestion.
 
 
Blood pressure & asthma
Animal studies have shown that ginger might help to control high blood pressure.
It’s thought that ginger may act (in a much weaker way) similarly to calcium channel blockers. Over several months, ginger may promote smooth muscle relaxation and more elastic blood vessels. Smooth muscle relaxation might also be a benefit to asthmatics. Note: these effects are based on theory and rat studies so far.
 
 
Cholesterol
In rodents, ginger can help to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while raising HDL – at levels similar to conventional lipid lowering drugs. It may also decrease the liver’s production of cholesterol and increase cholesterol excretion (via bile/fecal excretion). Human trials have yet to show benefits.
 
 
Cancer
Population based studies show that those living in Southeast Asian countries have a lower incidence of cancers than folks in the Western world. It’s thought that some of the plants they consume have anti-cancer properties; ginger might be one of them.
 
Tumor promotion is linked with inflammation and oxidative stress. Thus, the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of ginger could play a role in cancer prevention. Further, ginger might activate a tumor suppressor gene and downregulate a gene that plays a role in metastasis.
However, anti-cancer data on ginger has only been demonstrated in test tubes and animals so far.
 
 
Anti-bacterial
Ginger might help destroy oral pathogens and H. pylori (the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers), making it anti-bacterial.
 
 
Migraines
Ginger may help to reduce migraine headaches (pain and frequency), similar to some prescription medications.
http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-ginger

Extra credit
-Ginger is in the same family as cardamom and turmeric.
 
 
-Beta-elemene is an anti-cancer pharmaceutical derived from ginger.
 
 
-In India, basil leaves combined with ginger is a popular remedy for children’s stomachaches.
 
 
-The use of ginger in Asia is common because it’s believed to cleanse the body of toxins from meat dishes.
 
 
-At one time in England, three pounds of ginger was the going rate for one head of cattle.
 
 
-Chewing on a piece of fresh ginger might relieve a sore throat and hoarseness.
 
 
-Eating slices of ginger sprinkled with salt before meals can aid digestion.
 
 
-Some say that ginger is a “warming” food for the body.
 
 
-Ginger is a main ingredient in kimchi.
 
 
-When ginger is used in large quantities it can mask the odor of fish.

good info~here is an exerpt from a blog i posted a while back also emphasizing ginger’s benefits:

Ginger


While fresh ginger has been used for centuries to treat everything from
colds to upset stomach, the University of Georgia recently found it can
also reduce muscle pain after exercise by 25 percent. “Gingerol is the
potent phytonutrient in ginger that is believed to supply these
pain-relieving properties,” Kooi says. “In fact, a study found that
ginger might be just as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen to treat postexercise
soreness.” Ginger can also relieve pain in osteoarthritis patients. Kooi
recommends adding minced ginger to vegetables or a stir-fry, or making a
tea by placing sliced fresh ginger in a tea ball and immersing it in
hot water for 10 minutes, then adding honey for sweetness as needed.

i think this anti inflammatory and digestion benefits could do WONDERS for bodybuilder, athletes and gym gurus..
 
 
 
is there a supplement i could take instead of eating ginger..
 
is it the same??

especially for weightlifters, ginger is one of the absolute best foods you can eat on a regular basis. the anti-inflammatory and pain management benefits are invaluable. it won’t beat fish oil for anti-inflammatory properties, but every little bit helps. 

Ginger is pretty strong, I couldn’t imagine chewing on it straight. I can’t even stand the little pink pieces of ginger that you get with sushi, let alone a raw piece of ginger root. What about ginger candies or crystalized ginger? Ginger snaps?

i love the ginger at the sushi resturants!! and chewy ginger candy is sooo yummy..
 
Pete.. do they have a ginger supplement??