• Question: when you cut onions how does it make your eyes water

    Asked by Thomas L to Ciara, Elaine, Golnaz, Gonzalo, Yannis, Yvonne on 7 Nov 2017. This question was also asked by 476fddk47.
    • Photo: Gonzalo Delgado-Pando

      Gonzalo Delgado-Pando answered on 7 Nov 2017:

      When you cut onions a substance goes into the air that makes your eyes water, becuase this substance irritates your eyes. If you don’t cut the onion the substance is inside so it won’t water your eyes.

    • Photo: Ioannis Zabetakis

      Ioannis Zabetakis answered on 7 Nov 2017:

      onions have an enzyme (this is something that make reactions faster) called
      allinase: when we cut onions, the enzyme becomes active and produces quickly chemicals that make our eyes water…
      Tip: before you cut an onion, hold it under lots of running water…this makes the enzyme less active !

    • Photo: Ciara O'Donovan

      Ciara O'Donovan answered on 7 Nov 2017:

      The others have already explained the why bit but a good way to prevent this is popping an onion in the freezer for about 15 minutes before cutting it.. It really works (just remember to take it out before it gets too hard as then it will be too difficult to cut!!)

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