Why onions make us cry?

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 (Imani et al, 2002).

Answer 2

Onions contain sulfur compounds (which also give them their characteristic smell). The compounds are gases and are released when onions are cut. These gases react with the water in the tears in the eyes to form other acidic compounds which irritate the eye and cause crying.

Answer 3

As a general rule, the more pungent the type of onion, the more it can make you cry. The chemical factor that does it is similar to a very, very weak form of police tear gas. But an Ebenezer or Southport Yellow Globe or Crystal White Wax onion will make you cry much more than a Vidalia, for example. The trick to keeping onions from making you cry is to keep them refrigerated. If you chop them up before they reach room temperature - no tears. I cooked for a living in college, and I found that out early on.

Answer 4

Cut onions produce a gas called the onion lachrymatory factor when the cells are broken. Lachry- means tears and -matory means to be an irritation. The gas causes the sensory nerves of the eye to feel a stinging sensation. The tears try to wash away the gas. Cutting them under running water helps to reduce the gas. Using a fan to blow the gas away can also help.

Answer 5

Onions contain a compound called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. When you cut into an onion, this compound is released into the air and reacts with the moisture in your eyes to produce sulfuric acid, which irritates the eyes and triggers tears as a defense mechanism to wash out the irritant.

Answer 6

its the oils and gasses in the onion juices that make your eyes tear up its a chemical reaction

Answer 7

Who knows? I don't believe onions are part of a dogs diet.