Why do we get tears if we cut an onion?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Because the onion releases a substance that is acidic for your eyes and makes them burn.

We've all heard about how chopping onions makes one "cry", or start tearing. When you cut into an onion, the destroyed cells release enzymes that react and get converted into an irritating gas that stimulates the lachrymal glands in the eyes, which produce tears.

Here are a few ways to eliminate or at least reduce the tearing:
Use a very sharp knife when cutting. You destroy fewer cells with a sharper blade, since the smaller blade edge touches (cutting) fewer cells.
After cutting an onion in half, rinse each cut half under water, and run each slice under water if needed. This washes away the enzymes that produce the irritating gas, but may also wash away some of the flavor.
Keep your face as far away as possible from the onion when chopping.
Breath through your mouth rather than nose when chopping. You'll suck the gas in when inhaling but blow it away when exhaling. The gas is less likely to reach your eyes this way.
Peel the onion and chill it in the refrigerator before slicing, or cook before slicing. Temperature affects the enzyme's ability to react.

Or, just use Maui Onions...they don't make you cry.

cos the onion magically sends its life story into your mind, and you learn about the family of baby onions that your taking its daddy from... its a sad story... hence the crying

i been wondering the same thing myself. i think it has something to do with the strong smell, we breathe it in and our eyes and nose waters

Because of chemical present in the onion.

It contains some chemical that produces tears in ur eyes!

it has vapors that go on your eyes. those vapors make you cry

the juice evaporates and stings ur eyes

The juice stings ur eyes