Onions and gum

[Lakewood]

Why don't you tear up if you chew gum while slicing onions?

[Cymbeline]

Because you have your mouth open more? I'm just linking it to the thing that works for me which is to slice onions whilst breathing through my mouth.

[mkt]

my eyes are dreadful whenever i cut onions no matter if they're white, red, supposedly sweet......must have really sensitive tear ducts! i've tried to chew gum. didn't work. i've tried to have a glass of water in front ot me. Didn't work. I've tried putting a spoon in my mouth. Didn't work. I guess that if there is any truth in any of these suggestions i am just a freak of nature.

i may aswell be rubbing the onion into my eyes. really wish i didn't like onions cos it hurts so much preparing the things!

[FoxLee]

mkt - I used to have the same problem when chopping onions until I borrowed my husband's swimming goggles. I may look funny but it works.

[Jules001]

I wear contact lenses and don't have any problems peeling onions, but apparently and obviously I can't vouch for this, if you don't cut the root end off until you have cut the onion up, you won't cry.

[chazza]

Isn't it the smell that causes your eyes to become sore? I don't breathe through my nose while chopping and it eases the symptoms.

Also, try running the inside of your wrist under cold water from time to time while chopping - this really works!

[QueenOfSheba]

I've heard that the onion won't release so much of it's "tear juice" if you soak it first for 10 minutes in cold water, but always forget to do this and never have time to wait as I'm always late and rushing!