For a long time the dietary fi ber represented the inert portion of food because of their low energy content. In addition, this fraction was also considered undesirable nutrients in monogastric diet, due mainly to the negative effects of their presence, as its dilutive effect of energy. However, these effects may be related to erroneous quantifi cation of that fraction. When correctly determined and added in suitable amounts, the effects of this nutrient bring several benefi ts to the animals. Dietary fi bers are formed by non-starch polysaccharides, among which we can highlight the cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, gums, mucilages, β-glucans, among others. Fractions that has received much attention due to their prebiotic properties. The main prebiotic action occurs by activating the metabolism of a group of benefi cial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, promoting an increase in the production of short chain fatty acids and number of villi in ileum allowing increase in area absorptive intestinal and therefore improve animal performance.