Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a non⁃specific chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine, and its pathogenesis is not yet been fully elucidated. At present, it is generally believed that gut microbiota plays a key role in the pathogenesis of IBD. Prebiotics are non⁃digestible food ingredients that can regulate the gut microbiota. Recently, more and more studies support the beneficial effect of prebiotics in IBD. Some prebiotics of dietary supplements can be used as fermentable substrates to promote the growth and metabolic activity of intestinal beneficial bacteria and increase the production of short ⁃ chain fatty acids, thereby exerting anti ⁃ inflammatory effects. This article reviewed the progress in research on the protective mechanism of prebiotics in IBD from the perspective of traditional and emerging prebiotics and providing a theoretical basis for its application in IBD adjuvant therapy.