Abstract: In recent years, resistant starch (RS) has been extensively studied due to its important role in improving intestinal flora, regulating glucose and lipid metabolism and maintaining body health. Different types of RS have specific effects on intestinal flora and thus may exhibit different physiological functions. In this paper, the multi-scale structural properties of different types of RS are described, and the effects of different types of RS on intestinal flora, short-chain fatty acids, intestinal health and glucolipid metabolism are compared. The potential correlation between the types of RS and the intestinal flora-regulatory effect of RS is comprehensively reviewed. This review could provide useful information for individual design of RS and precise regulation of intestinal flora.

Key words: resistant starch; structural characteristics; intestinal flora; glucolipid metabolism