Elhadji Dioum, PhD
R&D Life Sciences Principal Scientist
Featured Publication:
Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.), incorporated into cookies, reduce postprandial glycaemic variability but have little or no effect on subjective appetite
What inspired you to become a researcher? Tell us a bit about your career journey.
I am inquisitive, and I have always been fascinated by the biological processes of life that grow from seed to plant and the interdependence between plants and insects during pollination. I attended college in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa, where I completed my B.S. studies in natural sciences and plant biology. When I had the opportunity to come to the US, I attended Ohio State University.
I started my research journey in plant biochemistry to understand the mechanism of nitrogen fixation in legumes. My early experience in research brought awareness to the balance in biological systems called homeostasis. I later worked at the University of Texas SW Medical Center in Dallas with top scientists in the biomedical field and later pursued a Ph.D. After my postdoctoral training, my research focused on the impact of dietary bioactives to help restore the balance toward health, wellness, and longevity.
Can you tell us more about this chia seed study and some of the novel findings from your research?
The lowest effective dose of chia seeds used in published clinical studies is 7g. Here, we explored a dose-response study using 3, 5, or 7g of chia seeds with a 30g cookie compared to an isocaloric control without chia seeds. We determined the minimum effective dose in healthy subjects and found in this study that a dose of chia seed as low as 3g added to food can elicit functional benefits promoting satiety and improved glycemic response.
What are the implications of your findings?
A higher dose of chia seed (7g) presented organoleptic limitations, and this study shows that lower amounts of chia seed (3g and 5g per serving) can help support satiety and glycemic control claims while maintaining favorable sensory profiles. Chia seeds can significantly lower the glycemic index of food products and help manage blood sugar levels in healthy individuals.
What is the one thing that would surprise most people about your work?
I have opportunities to work on a large variety of food ingredients, and I still get excited to learn new concepts and build knowledge and R&D capabilities. PepsiCo R&D is open to exploring new avenues to support positive nutrition in a human-centric manner.
What is your favorite PepsiCo product?
It is not easy to choose one. I love Quaker Old Fashioned Oats for breakfast but I also can’t get enough of SunChips Garden Salsa or Harvest Cheddar.
Impact of a Low Dose of Chia Seed
Blood Glucose Management Toolkit