The objective of the article is to provide a concise overview of the conclusions of most important studies assessing the role of beta-carotene in the prevention of civilization diseases. Beta-carotene seemed to be a very promising agent in the prevention of civilization diseases in the early 1980s. However, several large-scale studies concluded that the preventive effects of beta-carotene may have been overestimated or that beta-carotene may even have harmful effects previously not anticipated. Current nutritional recommendations promote increased consumption of vegetables and fruits, but beta-carotene supplementation is not recommended.