Health benefits of ginger "Ginger is fantastic," Slattery says. "It's not just delicious. Ginger, a natural component of ginger root, promotes gastrointestinal motility - the speed at which food leaves the stomach and goes through the digestive process. Eating ginger promotes efficient digestion, so food does not linger in the intestines as long." Relieving nausea. Promoting gastric emptying can relieve the discomfort of nausea caused by: Chemotherapy. Slattery, who works with cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, says ginger can relieve post-treatment nausea without some of the side effects of anti-nausea medications. Pregnancy. For generations, women have praised the power of ginger to relieve "morning sickness" and other nausea associated with pregnancy. "Even the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology mentions ginger as an acceptable non-drug remedy for nausea and vomiting," Slattery says. Bloating and gas. Eating ginger can reduce fermentation processes, constipation, and other causes of gas and bloat in the intestines. Cellular wear and tear. Ginger contains antioxidants. These molecules help fight free radicals, compounds that can damage cells when their numbers become too high. Is ginger anti-inflammatory? It's possible. Slattery notes, "Ginger contains over 400 natural compounds, and some of them are anti-inflammatory. Further studies will help us determine if ginger consumption has an impact on conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or respiratory inflammation.