why do tears come from our eyes when we cut onions?

Answer 1

Onions produce the chemical irritant known as syn-propanethial-S-oxide. It stimulates the eyes' lachrymal glands so they release tears. Scientists used to blame the enzyme allinase for the instability of substances in a cut onion. Recent studies from Japan, however, proved that lachrymatory-factor synthase, (a previously undiscovered enzyme) is the culprit .

The process goes as follows:

-Lachrymatory-factor synthase is released into the air when we cut an onion.
-The synthase enzyme converts the sulfoxides (amino acids) of the onion into sulfenic acid.
-The unstable sulfenic acid rearranges itself into syn-ropanethial-S-oxide.
-Syn-propanethial-S-oxide gets into the air and comes in contact with our eyes. The lachrymal glands become irritated and produces the tears!

Answer 2

Because of a certain oil that is found mainly in the root. The way I tackle this is to wear my glasses and also when cutting the onion (and I do it a lot. I love onions!) is to cut it any way that I want but do not cut the root end off until the last second!

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I heard recently that very fresh onions won't irritate. That if you are crying, that means the onions are a little over shelf life. I didn't get that it meant they could not be used though

Answer 4

the fumes from the onions irritate our eyes and tears are produced to protect them

Answer 5

onions have some sort of chemical, that causes irritation to the eyes.

a lot of onions in an enclosed container, could cause a live chicken to die. It is a FACT, My dear

Answer 6

i do not want you to cry when cutting onions.
just put peeled onions in cold water for a few minutes before cutting them.
you can even peel them under running water.
see the difference ?!

Answer 7

i don't know, but i do know that not talking when cutting an onion won't make you tear because your not upsetting your nazel passage.