Abstract: Objective To summarize the definition and physiological function of dietary fiber and to conclude the mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect. Methods We review the role of dietary fiber definition, physiological function and the mechanism of antiinflammatory effect in the domestic and foreign published literature in recent years. Results Dietary fiber is a kind of carbohydrate polymers, which is composed of a variety of monomer component and can't be digested or absorbed by small intestinal. It could be classified into soluble dietary fiber and insoluble dietary fiber, of which the former one can be decomposed into short chain fatty acids by gut flora metabolism. Many recent studies have shown that dietary fiber or short chain fatty acids exerts a preventive effect on inflammation by affecting differentiation of inflammatory cells, expression of inflammatory cytokines, intestinal flora and intestinal mucosal barrier function. Conclusions Dietary fiber has certain function of anti-inflammatory, but much research is needed to explore the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of dietary fiber.