2007-01-26 23:32:59 · 13 answers · asked by aanu 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
the onion releases a gas that it uses for its own protection. the more dull your knife, the more gas will be releases. Also some varieties of onions have a more potent gas than others.
2007-01-26 23:37:17 · answer #1 · answered by peter m 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
When you crush the cells of an onion, you release a sulfur compound. When this compound reacts with the moisture in your eyes, it turns into sulfuric acid, which irritates your eyes. Your eyes then produce tears to flush the sulfuric acid out.
You can try many tricks to avoid crying. Refrigerating an onion for an hour before you chop it or chopping the onion under running water are some options. Or try chopping the onion while chewing on a piece of onion or a stick of gum. Your best bet, though, might be to wear goggles or glasses to protect your eyes.
2007-01-26 23:45:09 · answer #2 · answered by raheeb m 1 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I don't know. But when you cut the onion in half, sprinkle some lemon juice on the inside of the onion, it will prevent your eyes from tearing.
2007-01-27 03:02:03 · answer #3 · answered by Feetjie009 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
once you decrease an onion it releases a gas and while it contacts the water on your eyes it makes an acid that irritates your eyes, then you definately're making greater tears to bathe away the irritant.
2016-11-27 21:52:04 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
while chopping Onions a chemical irritant known as syn-propanethial-S-oxideis produced.
It stimulates the eyes' lacrimal glands so they release tears.
2007-01-27 00:22:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
The acid from the onion goes into the atmosphere and you get it into your eyes which makes your eyes burn and you form tears.
2007-01-26 23:36:09 · answer #6 · answered by VietRebel 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The acids from the onion go into your sinuses, causing your eyes to water.
There is a way to stop it though, its been a proven scientific study that if you chew gum when you chop onions, you dont cry. i tried it and it works.
2007-01-26 23:42:22 · answer #7 · answered by rawrrrr 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Its a defense the onions have, they release the fumes that make you eyes water as a deternt for you to eat them, or rabbits, gophers, llama on the run from the law, ectect.
2007-01-26 23:37:24 · answer #8 · answered by Wren Tagair 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Because the eyes get irrated !
2007-01-26 23:36:26 · answer #9 · answered by Gerry 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
i don't know ,,,,but what i do know is that keeping your mouth closed all the way while messing with them seems to keep my eyes from watering,,,and by putting a cracker in you mouth seems to work,,,,,,,
2007-01-27 01:25:35 · answer #10 · answered by wayneholli 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋