Oat β-glucan is a non-branched linear polysaccharide， and derived from the cell wall of oat aleurone， subaleurone and endosperm tissue. It belongs to water-soluble fiber and it is the main active ingredient in oat. As a natural food additive， oat β-glucan has been widely applied in food and medicine industry. In this paper， the positive effect of oat β-glucan on the anti-diabetic， cholesterol-lowering， immune and anticancer effects and its positive effects on gastrointestinal tract were reviewed， the application of oat β-glucan in baked food， beverage， meat and other food industries were summarized. Finally， the problems and solutions of research of oat β-glucan are prospected， it may provide theoretical support for the further development and application of oat β-glucan.