why do you cry when cutting onions???

Onions are a staple ingredient in many cuisines around the world, but they can also be a source of tears. So, why do we cry when we cut onions?? And are there ways to avoid the tears???

When you cut onions, you damage its cells. This releases enzymes that react with other compounds in the onions to produce a gas called syn-propanethial-S- oxide (SPSO). SPSO is a lachrymatory agent, which means that it irritates the eyes and causes tears.

SPSO irritates the eyes in two ways. First, it dissolves in the water that covers the surface of the eyes. This creates an acidic solution that stings and irritates the eyes tissues. 

Second, SPSO stimulates the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sending sensory information from the face to the brain. The trigeminal nerve tells the brain that the eye is irritated, and the brain responds by sending signals to the tear gland to produce tears.

How to avoid crying when you cut onions.

📌Use a sharp knife; a sharp knife will cut through the onion cells cleanly, releasing less SPSO gas

📌Chill the onion before cutting it; this will slow down the enzymatic reaction that produces SPSO gas

📌Cut the onion under running water; the water will help to dissolve the concentration of the SPSO gas before it reaches your eyes.

So....... There you have it. The science of onion tears. Next time you're cutting onions, try one of the tips above to avoid crying. But if you end up crying, don't worry, just remember that tears are a good sign of strong tears.