Why Do Onions Make Us Cry? – Webtekno

As if to take revenge for these knife blows They cause us to shed endless tears. Moreover, they cause eye burning and itching.

Alright Why do onions make us cry?

Our body produces 3 different types of tears: basal, reflex and emotional.

These tears contain oil, mucus, water and salt and also help us fight infections. When it comes to chopping onions, these tears It occurs as a reflex.

When we peel an onion, get dust in our eyes, or vomit, the glands under our eyebrows It wants to expel these substances that irritate our eyes. When this is the case, shedding tears becomes inevitable.

Cutting an onion, on the other hand, triggers a series of chemical reactions.

This triggering begins with the release of a specific amino acid called S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine ​​sulfoxide. This amino acid is released from the broken cells of the onion. react with water and enzymes starts.

Again, this reaction produces a chemical called 1-propenyl sulfenic acid. This chemical then decomposes into a gas known as propanethyl S-oxide. He is the one responsible for shedding tears even in the face of a tiny onion. This is the substance.

Because this chemical reacts with water to form sulfuric acid. Our corneas are more than our skin, approximately 400 times more pain receptors per square millimeter Because it has it, it’s incredibly good at detecting things like this.

So, is the type of onion a determining factor at this point?

There are many types of onions such as white, red, fresh, shallot, pearl, yellow and Their effects on tears are different from each other.

For example, yellow, red and white onions are among the varieties that produce the harshest chemical reactions and They contain a lot of sulfur. Sweeter types, such as green onions, contain less sulfur, are much less pungent, and produce far fewer tears in most people.

In summary, as soon as the onion peel is broken, sulfuric acid begins to vomit, and the propanethyl S-oxide produced by the combination of this acid is a tear-inducing substance. It brings tears as soon as it comes into contact with the eyes. All that’s left is to cry helplessly while cooking.

Our other content that may interest you: