Abstract: Short chain fatty acid (SCFA), a class of fatty acids with six or less carbon atoms, have important physiological functions for human health. As metabolites of the intestinal flora, SCFA can maintain intestinal health. Furthermore, accumulating research has proved that SCFA have many functions such as maintaining brain and bone functions, participating in regulating the immune response, antibacterial and antitumor activity, and alleviating obesity and diabetes. In this paper, recent literature on the production, absorption and functions of SCFA in the body are reviewed to provide a theoretical reference for the research and application of SCFA in nutrition.

Key words: short chain fatty acid; intestinal health; brain functions; bone functions; antibacterial; antitumor