Tate Modern Food and drink

Biodiversity & Gut Health With Tim Spector and Franco Fubini

29 May 2024 at 18.30–21.00

From our guts to our gardens, the key to health is diversity

‘It is useful to think of your microbial community as your own garden that you are responsible for. We need to make sure the soil (your intestines) that the plants (your microbes) grow in is healthy, containing plenty of nutrients; and to stop weeds or poisonous plants (“bad” microbes) from taking over we need to cultivate the widest variety of different plants and seeds possible. I will give you a clue how we do this. Diversity is the key.’ — Professor Tim Spector, co-founder of ZOE, the science and nutrition company.

A week after the world celebrates Biodiversity Day, we bring together Tim Spector and Franco Fubini to discuss what we eat, why, and how we can build a food system that is both better for our health and our planet.

Tim Spector is the co-founder of ZOE, the science and nutrition company, bestselling author of The Diet Myth, Spoon-Fed and Food for Life and the original pioneer of microbiome research. His work focuses on improving health through personalised nutrition.

Franco Fubini is the CEO of Natoora, a sourcing company driven by a belief that by engaging people with real flavour in seasonal fruit and vegetables, we can collectively transform the way that food is being farmed and supplied.

Your ticket includes a welcome drink, seasonal snacks and a copy of REACT, Natoora’s report on biodiversity within the food system. 20% of the proceeds will go towards Natoora’s Farm Fund which raises up the next generation of agro-ecological growers.

Franco Fubini

Franco founded Natoora in 2004 in a bid to restore flavour, transparency and seasonality to a broken food system. Since then he has created a growing community that connects responsible growers and their seasonal produce with the most influential chefs in London, Paris, New York, Copenhagen, Miami and Melbourne. Committed to seed selection, traditional growing techniques and exceptional flavour, Franco and Natoora are driving a food system revolution that elevates the growing artistry of committed producers to its rightful place

Tim Spector

Tim Spector is a medically qualified Professor of Epidemiology and Director of the TwinsUK Registry at King’s College London. His work focuses on improving health with cutting-edge research on the gut microbiome and personalised nutrition. He is the Scientific co-founder of ZOE, the science and nutrition company, which runs the world’s largest nutrition study, ZOE PREDICT, and has created a commercial at-home kit and app for personalised nutrition.

Having published more than 900 research articles, he is ranked in the top 100 of the world’s most cited scientists by Google. He is the author of four popular science books, including "The Diet Myth”, "Spoon Fed", and most recently “Food for Life”, a Sunday Times bestseller. He makes regular appearances on social and mainstream media.

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A quiet room is available to use in the Natalie Bell Building on Level 4.
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