We eat a lot of food containing the natural pigment, beta-carotene. Its importance in a healthy diet is admitted by the public. In recent years, beta-carotene has been attached to great importance because it is quite useful and crucial in medical care. Scientists and doctors all advocate that people should take this pigment as one of our friends. 

In recent ten years, the medical community has attached great importance to the natural pigment, beta-carotene. The reasons lie in many epidemiological surveys and experiments. The results reveal that people who frequently absorb rich beta-carotene would have fewer risks in suffering from arteriosclerosis, cancer and degenerative eye diseases than those who ingest less. Many animal tests also prove this point of view. For example, the eyesight depends largely on the yellow spots on the eye ground. If there has not adequate beta-carotene to protect the eyes, the eyes of human bodies will be degenerative. In other word, the eyes are aging. The decay of the eyesight will even cause nyctalopia. Doctors say that nyctalopia represents aging, but people can prevent this kind of disease by ingesting enough beta-carotene. This great finding throws new light upon this pigment. People recognize that it is not only a necessary substance in balancing nutrition, but also helps with preventing diseases, prolonging life and upgrading the quality of life.

Natural carotene consists of 80％beta-carotene, 10％alpha-carotene and 10％ other carotene. In the pursuit of green food, natural carotene is more popular than artificial pigments. Like other types of carotenoids, it is an excellent antioxidant. Eating food which contains rich beta-carotene can effectively and efficiently resist the oxygen radicals. Some studies reveal that ingesting adequate beta-carotene from fruits and vegetables can prevent heart diseases and cancer.

A survey based on population indicates that if one person eats four shares or more fruits and vegetables which are rich in beta-carotene, the chances they suffer from heart disease or cancer would be much lower. Amusingly, some other studies show that too much beta-carotene would also lead to these kinds of diseases. Researchers argue that healthy, a balanced and nutritious diet is more effective in resisting the heart disease and cancer.
　　
In addition, it is of great use in curing skin diseases, especially the sensitivity to the sunlight. Some people are so sensitive to the sunlight that their skin would turn red or be burnt soon after it is exposed to the sun. Research shows that high dosage of the beta-carotene can also reduce the sensitivity to the sunlight. It is especially useful to cure those skin diseases caused by insolation. For instance, patients of erythropoietic protoporphyria benefit greatly from this pigment. They can purposefully complement beta-carotene under the guidance of professional doctors. Their symptom will gradually be improved in a few weeks.