Abstract: A large body of scientific researches has shown the inverse relationship between consumption of whole cereal grains and occurrences of metabolic diseases. Due to the complicated ingredients,which may show synergistic action to mediate the protective effects,the conventional methods are not appropriate to clarify the mechanisms for whole grains on health promotion.Meanwhile,gut microbiota is closely related to human health,which is probably modulated by diet intervention. Thus,research has been increasingly focusing on the potential of ingredients present in whole cereal grains to steer gut microbiota activity and composition in a beneficial way. In this review,special interest will be directed to gut microbiota,whole cereal grains and metabolic disease.The results may bring a new way to elucidate the mechanism of whole cereal grain in ameliorating metabolic diseases.As results,the gut microbiota- targeted whole cereal grain intake will serve for human health better.