Ascorbic acid and other organic acids are well known promoters of iron absorption from the diet (Hallberg et al., 1986 and Hemalatha et al., 2005). It has been reported that vitamin A and β-carotene can enhance non-heme iron absorption and thereby contribute to an increase in haemoglobin levels (Gracia-Casal et al., 1998). Information on such promoters of zinc bioaccessibility from plant foods is lacking. In view of β-carotene-rich green leafy and yellow orange vegetables being common ingredients in our diet, the possible influence of β-carotene on zinc bioaccessibility deserves to be evaluated. In this connection, β-carotene-rich sources – carrot and amaranth – were evaluated for a possible effect on the bioaccessibility of zinc and iron from food grains in this study. Curcumin, the principle phytochemical of turmeric, which is structurally similar to β-carotene, was also evaluated for its influence on zinc and iron bioaccessibility from food grains; turmeric is a common ingredient of the Indian diet.