A continuous in vitro method for the estimation of the bioavailability of minerals and trace elements is presented. This in vitro method is believed to be more representative of in vivo physiological conditions than in vitro methods based on equilibrium dialysis, because dialysable components are continuously removed from the pancreatic digestion mixture. The continuous in vitro method is compared with the equilibrium in vitro method with respect to the dialysability of Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Zn from eight different types of bread (varying in phytic acid content). The results show a pronounced effect of continuous removal of dialysable components from the pancreatic digestion mixture on the dialysability of minerals and trace elements. Furthermore, removal of dialysable components influences the effect of phytic acid on the bioavailability of minerals and trace elements. For these two reasons the importance of removal of dialysable components in vitro for the estimation of bioavailability in vivo needs further investigation. The bioavailability of minerals and trace elements from bread samples is not related to the phytic acid content only. Therefore, the effect of phytic acid on the bioavailability of minerals and trace elements cannot be studied separately from the effects of other components on bioavailability.