Onions contain amino acids called sulfoxides, and when you cut into them, you damage the skin. This skin damage converts the sulfoxides into a super-annoying chemical. The onion releases it into their air, and it then wafts into your eyes.
Why am I so sensitive to cutting onions?
Onions also contain an enzyme called synthase. When you cut into an onion, the synthase reacts with the sulfur to create a chemical compound called syn-Propanethial S-oxide. This compound is volatile and creates a gas that floats up to your eyes and triggers your lachrymal gland—the gland that produces tears.
How do you make onions easier to cut?
A dull knife smashes rather than slices, doing more damage to the onions’ cells and thereby releasing more of the tear-inducing compound. You can also try chilling your onions. It takes foresight, but chilling peeled, halved onions in the fridge or in a bowl of ice water for 30 minutes can lessen the chemical’s effect.
Is it normal to not cry from cutting onions?
The sharper your knife, the less likely you are to cry when you chop an onion. A dull knife will actually smash the onion rather than slice it cleanly, so the onion lets out more of the compound that irritates the eyes. Use a good chef’s knife and break out your knife sharpener regularly to sharpen it up.
How do you keep your eyes from crying when cutting onions?
Freeze the onion. Make sure you don’t leave the onion in the freezer to long or it will be difficult to cut. Another trick for stopping the stinging is to peel the onion and soak it in a bowl for 10-15 minutes to, theoretically, pull the chemicals into the water.
Can you be intolerant to onions?
Having a true onion allergy is rare. Having a food sensitivity to onions is more common. Both conditions share certain symptoms, such as gastric distress. People allergic to onions may also be allergic to garlic and other alliums, such as chives.
Do onion glasses work?
The verdict: Onion goggles work OK — some better than others. They may make you look a little funny, but they do protect your eyes from getting hit head on with a cloud of onion gas. At the very least, they do delay or reduce the tears that typically spring to your eyes when you chop an onion.
Does soaking onions in water help?
Soaking the onions for 15 minutes or so in cold water will help to soften the their flavor, mellowing it out a bit. Perfect when you’re planning your next burger party, or if you’re fixing a salad like Nancy Silverton’s little gem with dates, red onion and Gorgonzola dolce (recipe follows below).
Will chilling an onion before cutting it keep you from crying?
To reduce tearing when cutting an onion, the National Onion Association recommends you “first chill the onions for 30 minutes. Then, cut off the top and peel the outer layers leaving the root end intact.” It’s the root end that has the highest concentration of the sulphuric compounds that cause your eyes to tear.
Does a wet paper towel help with onions?
Wet some paper towel and keep it on the cutting board. The acidity from onions gravitate towards water. So instead of hitting your tear ducts it’ll seep towards the wet paper towel instead.”
Are some people unaffected by onions?
Preparing onions often causes a chemical reaction that results in tears for most people. Some people are more sensitive to onions than others. Try chilling onions in ice before cutting to help reduce their sting. White, yellow, or red onions are also more likely to make you cry than green ones.
Is onion good for your eyes?
Red onions contain more quercetin, an antioxidant that is thought to protect against cataracts.
Why does putting an onion in the freezer help prevent you from crying?
They contain enzymes that become an acid, which triggers the tears. Putting an onion in the freezer can reduce the acid enzymes that are released.
Is cutting onions good for dry eyes?
This experiment used onions as a natural treatment for dry eye syndrome. The Results of this experiment are interesting in that 19/20 patients noted that onions made their eyes water(at least a little) and most patients noted that their eyes were less dry immediately and during the following 12 hours.
How do I know if I’m intolerant to onions?
If food comes into contact with onions, it may trigger an allergic reaction. If a person is allergic to onions, symptoms can appear up to 2 hours after ingestion.
Symptoms of an onion allergy may include:
- nausea.
- vomiting.
- diarrhea.
- headache.
- itching.
- hives or rash.
- swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
- trouble breathing.
Why do I react to onions and garlic?
If you are allergic to onion, you could find you also react to garlic and vice versa. This is a process known as “cross-reactivity” – where the proteins in one food are similar to the proteins in another food. Other foods in the same group could also cause a problem, including leeks, asparagus and chives.
What are nightshade allergies?
A nightshade allergy is an immune response to the compound in nightshade plants called alkaloids. Types of nightshade plants include potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, red pepper flakes, eggplant, and paprika. Symptoms of a nightshade allergy include congestion, skin rash, itching, redness, and digestive problems.
Do swimming goggles work for onions?
Consumer Reports says if you do decide to chop onions wearing safety goggles or swim goggles, be sure to choose ones with anti-fog lenses. Otherwise if they fog up, you could cut your hand; then you’ll really have something to cry about.
What are moisture chamber glasses?
Also known as dry eye glasses or moisture chamber spectacles, they have a gasket (also referred to as an eye cup) that rests comfortably around your eye area. This creates a seal around your eyes that insulates them from the wind, dust and pollen and other drying factors in the atmosphere such as air conditioning.
Is raw onion good for high blood pressure?
According to the results, onion dose-dependently reduced heart rate and blood pressure. The mechanism of lowering blood pressure can be due to a decrease in heart rate (74).
Are red onions stronger than yellow onions?
In terms of pungency, white are generally the mildest, red the sharpest, and yellow somewhere in between.