According to this review of the evidence, ginger may be effective in slowing the progression of certain age-related diseases in both animals and humans. Here is a summary of their conclusions:
In animals, ginger appears to slow the progression of ageing in several organs, including the heart, the lungs and the brain.
Studies support the idea that ginger supplementation can improve cognitive function in both animals and elderly humans.
Ginger appears to protect animals against Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, but whether this holds true in humans is unclear.
Ginger supplementation appears to be beneficial for patients with type 2 diabetes (by improving the response to sugar), rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (by reducing inflammation and relieving pain).
In animal models, ginger can protect against heart disease by lowering blood pressure, ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL) and inflammation, and results in a reduction in the size of fatty deposits in the arteries. There is evidence that at least one of these effects (namely blood pressure reduction) extends to humans as well.