Résumé
There is overwhelming evidence that dietary fibers are an important component of human and animal diets and play an important role in human health. However the effect of dietary fibers largely depends on their own nature and characteristics, and also on mineral homeostasis. In 1977, it was observed that resistant starch, a fermentable dietary fiber could improve Magnesium (Mg) absorption in rats. More recently attention has been focused on other fermentable substrates such as inulin and oligo- or poly-saccharides, for their potential prebiotic and health effects. Studies carried out on different types of fermentable carbohydrates have confirmed their beneficial effect on Mg absorption in different animal species. So far four human studies have been carried out that generally confirmed the enhancing effect of fermentable oligo- or poly-saccharides on Mg absorption.