Onion is a part of our kitchen that is easily found in every house. Whether you want to make vegetables, prepare salads or increase the taste of chutney, every dish without onion looks incomplete. But while cutting this small onion, a question often comes to our mind – why do tears come to the eyes by cutting onion? This question not only increases our curiosity, but it can also be beneficial for us to know the reason behind it. Today we are going to solve this mystery and will tell you what is the reason for tears while cutting onions and how can it be avoided.
According to scientists and health experts, onions contain certain chemicals that spread in the air while cutting it. Onion contains sulfur compounds, which are responsible for its taste and smell. When we cut the onion with a knife, the cells inside it break down and a gas comes out which is called a syn-propanethial-s-oxide. This gas reaches our eyes through the air and forms a mild sulfuric acid with the moisture of the eyes. This is the reason why there is irritation in the eyes and tears start coming out. This is the natural defense system of our eyes, which tries to protect it from this irritation.
Although this may seem a bit strange to hear, it is a completely natural process. Tears are not a disease while cutting onions, but it is a normal response to the body. Nevertheless, it can cause trouble for people working in the kitchen. The good thing is that this irritation and tears can be reduced by some easy measures. For example, cool it in the fridge before cutting the onion. Cold onion leaves less gas while cutting, which reduces eye irritation. In addition, soaking onion in water or cutting under water can also reduce this problem, as water prevents gas from spreading in the air.
Health experts say that onion is very beneficial not only for taste but also for health. It has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that strengthen our immune system. But it is necessary to take care while cutting it. Some people recommend keeping the knife sharp, as a sharp knife reduces onion cells and also reduces gas leakage. At the same time, keeping good ventilation in the kitchen is also an effective way. If you wear glasses, it can also protect the eyes from irritation.
Our team has prepared this information in association with health and science experts, so that you can get the right and reliable information. Tears are a common experience while cutting onions, by understanding and adopting some easy tips, you can improve your kitchen experience. So next time you cut onion, try these remedies and increase the taste of your food without tears.