Many external irritants cause tears - lacrimation is observed during mechanical stress, contaminants, and caustic substances. And also people involuntarily cry when they peel onions. Why does this happen, than a healthy vegetable stimulates a similar reaction? After all, fumes from a bow can hardly damage the retina or cause some damage to the organs of vision.
When slicing onions, it can be noted that not only the eyes are irritated. Unpleasant sensations can occur in the nose, nasopharynx. What substance causes them?
Chemical reactions when slicing onions
It turns out that when cutting onions, rather complex chemical reactions occur that provide the mentioned effect with the final substances that appear as a result of their full cycle. The mixing of substances and reactions begin only when slicing a vegetable, because until that moment the cells remain intact, and substances capable of reacting with each other are isolated.
The complex of volatile enzymes, and in particular, sulfur, is released into the air, gets into the eyes, where it reacts with tear fluid, begins to cause burning, lacrimation. The substance settles on the mucous membrane, which also begins to burn. The complex of emitted substances with volatile properties, scientists called lacrimator. It has the ability to dissolve not only in the tear fluid, moisture on the surface of the eye membranes, but also in water.
It really does not cause harm to the organs of vision - on the contrary, it has disinfecting properties. Together with juice, volatile substances, onion volatile products are released that destroy bacteria that circulate in the air. But still, it is not worth abusing the effects of caustic substances. Moreover, there are excellent methods to avoid discomfort when cutting onions.
Interesting fact: many housewives put half the onion in the refrigerator to get rid of the unpleasant odor. The method works, because onion fumes are rich in volatile, and a putrefactive smell is created by bacteria, which are easily destroyed by the fumes of the vegetable in a confined space.
How to chop onions without tears?
The process of cutting one onion can still be tolerated. But when it comes to harvesting a large amount of them, which is often required on the eve of the holidays, the situation can become extremely unpleasant. Can I chop onions without tears? It turns out that this is quite real. In order to provide the cook with comfort, just cool the onion, or even freeze her. The lacrimator will become less active, itching in the nasopharynx, tears, can be avoided.
Some housewives advise cutting vegetables in the lenses. If you have vision problems and you still need to wear lenses, the measure will really help, your eyes will be protected. The main thing is not to remove the lenses with your fingers without first washing your hands after the onion juice. A knife soaked in water also helps a lot; the onion itself can also be moistened. The lacrimator is easily precipitated by water, dissolving in it, less annoying to a person when it becomes possible to precipitate the bulk of it.
What housewives just do not come up with, hoping not to encounter an undesirable effect - put on swimming goggles, cut inside a plastic bag. There are many options. However, if everything has already happened, tears have flowed - you should not worry. It is enough to wash with clean water, wait a bit - the process will soon end on its own.
Thus, when slicing onions, the eyes are watery due to the fact that together with the juice volatile substances are released from the cut vegetables of the vegetable, which react among themselves, dissolve in the lacrimal fluid and begin to irritate sensitive membranes, mucous membranes.
