The present paper reviews Polish and foreign papers focusing on bioavailability of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper and the effect of fructans on their absorption from diet. There are many evidences suggesting that fructans, low-molecular-weight non-digestible carbohydrates which are naturally occurring dietary constituents may improve the quality  of life and increase disease resistance in both humans and animals. The potential health benefits of these compounds are: prebiotic effect and better resistance to pathogens, reduction in blood lipids and the risk for coronary heart disease, antitumor properties and immune stimulation. The stimulatory effect of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on the bioavailability of selected elements has been explained by fermentation of these sugars in the large intestine, which leads production of short-chain fatty acids, reduction of luminal pH and induction of epithelial cells proliferation, which results in the increase of some minerals absorption.