Do onions make you cry?

    I’m not the only one, but every time I cut an onion I cry and cry and cry, even spring onions!  So I decided to look into why they make me cry so much, it’s actually painful, and how to stop it.   So why do onion bring some to their knees whilst others don’t even notice?   • You’re too short!  Yes you read that right.  If cutting onions really affects you you might be on the shorter end of the height spectrum.  Onions spray a fine liquid when you cut through them.  The closet your face is to the onion the more of this irritating substance you’re likely to get in your eyes.
• Onions produce the chemical irritant known as syn-Propanethial-S-oxide. It stimulates the eyes' lachrymal glands so they release tears. The synthase enzyme converts the amino acids sulfoxides of the onion into sulfenic acid.
• The acid released is similar to that used in tear gas
• More sensitive souls tend to cry more easily when cutting onions.  I cry at the drop of a hat so this could well be true   So how can you reduce your tears? • Stand on a stool – bring your eyes a further distance from the onion
• Use a sharp knife – less spray
• Chill the onions first – again less spray
• A silver teaspoon in your mout, hollow side to your tongue.  I still don’t know why but it works (my mother used to make me do this as a child)
• Wear goggles
• My favourite- get someone else to cut the darn onions!
• Last but not least.  If nothing else works and your eyes are streaming, open the freezer and put your face in, the cold air immediately stops the pain, sting and tears.   So wipe those eyes, there may be hope yet.   You can follow carina at www.itsanaturalchoice.com Follow her journey on Facebook & Instagram – It’s A Natural Choice Join Facebook group – The Natural Health Tribe