why do onions make you cry?

Answer 1

When you slice through an onion, you break open a number of onion cells. Some of these cells have enzymes inside of them, and when they are sliced open, the enzymes escape. The enzymes then decompose some of the other substances that have escaped from sliced cells. Some of these substances, amino acid sulfoxides, form sulfenic acids, which then quickly rearrange themselves into a volatile gas.

The gas reaches your eyes and reacts with the water that keeps them moist. This changes the chemical's form again, producing, among other things, a mild sulfuric acid, which irritates the eyes. The nerve endings in your eyes are very sensitive and so they pick up on this irritation (this is why our eyes sting when we slice onions). The brain reacts by telling your tear ducts to produce more water, to dilute the irritating acid so the eyes are protected. Your other reaction is probably to rub your eyes, but this will actually make the irritation a lot worse, of course, if you have onion juices all over your hands

Answer 2

Wear goggles and you should be OK. It is the chemical gas which is given off when you cut an onion which makes you cry. Very fresh onions have a much stronger effect. Older onions have less gas to give off.

I know, as I am eating onions fresh from the garden at the moment. They really make your eyes sting!

Answer 3

When you slice through an onion, you break open a number of onion cells. Some of these cells have enzymes inside of them, and when they are sliced open, the enzymes escape. The enzymes then decompose some of the other substances that have escaped from sliced cells. Some of these substances, amino acid sulfoxides, form sulfenic acids, which then quickly rearrange themselves into a volatile gas.

Answer 4

It's the smell from the onions.

The best way of not crying while cutting onions is to get one of those quick-choppers.

Answer 5

They have a high acid content or something like that.


Try using sweet onions. They aren't near as strong.

Answer 6

Chemicles in the onions.

Answer 7

if you don't want them to make you cry cut them by a gas stove, turn the stove on high and the fire burns up the gas before it reaches your eyes! Thank goodness for Alton Brown!

Answer 8

NEVER A ONION THAT MADE ME CRY - BAD BREATH YES - ALWAYS

Answer 9

Anything with a strong smell will make your eyes water!

Answer 10

Hold a piece of bread in your mouth while you cut them and it wont bother you at all. Trust me it works!