Why Do Onions Make Us Cry?

Onions are good for us by protecting our hearts, supporting our bones and protecting us from cancer. However, they also make us cry when we cut them. Recently, researchers have found how onions make our eyes water. When they are cut, a natural defense suddenly comes alive, producing a compound that burns our eyes. Would you like to know how to avoid making eyes water? Here are a few ways to stop the compound causing you to cry when you cut onions: Cook onions. It can kill the chemistry inside the onion. While the smell of cooked onions may be strong, it doesn’t burn your eyes. Wear safety goggles or run a fan. This actually prevents the vapors from the compound entering your eyes, or at least blows the vapors safely away. Cool your onions in the refrigerator before cutting them. Doing so slows reactions and changes the chemistry inside the onion. You can accomplish the same thing by cutting onions under water. So, take heart. With a little preparation, you can slice and cook onions and never shed a tear.