It is shown that the generalization of Kaluza-Klein theories to take into account dynamical torsion makes it possible to obtain after reduction to four-dimensional space-time not only gauge fields interacting with the metric but also scalar fields with Lagrangian of Yang-Mills -Higgs type. It is shown that in four-dimensional space-time with Minkowski metric torsion is manifested as a universal pseudovector field irrespective of the Kaluza-Klein theories. Chiral interaction of fermions can be interpreted as interaction with a torsion field. The connection between torsion and anomalies is discussed. Torsion in three-dimensional space-time is also considered.