On Thursday 16 March, we were delighted to see the return of our annual Brain Bootcamp. Organised by Dr Waites, Deputy Head Pastoral, this year’s event saw us welcome Dr Pippa Gibson to talk to our parent and pupil community, from Years 6-13,  about ‘Eating for Immunity’.

As a Nutritionist working for our caterers, Accent Catering, Dr Pippa was the perfect person to talk to us about gut microbes and the importance of modifying our gut microbiota to influence our brain. We discovered the benefits of polyphenols for brain cognition and memory as well as problems such as a ‘leaky gut’!  We were also treated to a demonstration of live fermentation and sent off to create a food diary of our plant-based diversity each week.

As has become tradition, Accent also provided a recipe book containing recipes that included ingredients that help to boost the immune system such as Black Bean Brownies and Kale and Chickpea Caesar Salad. Following an informative Q&A, they provided an opportunity to taste some of the recipes in the Orangery.