Why do onions make you cry?
Explain it like I'm 16
Cutting an onion damages its cells, causing it to release a chemical gas. When the gas reaches your eyes, it reacts with the moisture there and makes an irritating substance, so your eyes produce tears to wash it away.
A real-world example
It is a bit like getting a tiny amount of smoke in your eyes: your eyes automatically water to protect themselves.
Example 1 of 1
Why this matters
It explains why chilling an onion, using a sharp knife, or cutting it under running water can reduce the tears.
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