Background　The core of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept is to reduce surgical trauma and stress reaction. ERAS society put forward the intake of carbohydrate- containing fluids up to 2 h prior to surgery to improve postoperative recovery.　Objective　Summarizing the latest progress on preoperative oral carbohydrate at present and providing current advances for clinical anesthesiologists.　Content　This article introduces the progress about the carbohydrate metabolism, effects on surgery and muscle mass function, the safety and efficacy of preoperative application, postoperative well- being and its effect on length of stay and the progress of preoperative oral carbohydrate.　Trend　A proper preoperative fasting is conducive to improve patients′ postoperative recovery. In order to apply the concept more widely to clinical work, higher quality research evidences are needed in the future.