Does putting bread up your nose stop the tears from chopping onions?

No. Onions release a chemical that causes the eyes to tear up. While some folk remedies suggest inserting small objects such as bread pieces or cotton balls into the nostrils may block some of this chemical, they do not eliminate the irritant's effects.

The most effective preventive measure is to wear swimming goggles or safety glasses while chopping onions. Other methods include chilling the onions or cutting them under cold running water.