Soju is a popular Korean distilled beverage made from starches like rice, tapioca, and sweet potato. The original versions are clear and colorless alcoholic beverages that are similar to vodka in terms of its taste, however most varieties of Soju are of a lower alcohol percetage (ranging from 12-53%). Soju is the most popular alcoholic beverage in bot Korea and the entire world and it is enjoyed by people of all ages.
Obviously consuming too much alcohol, including Soju, can lead to a hangover. A hangover is a group of symptoms that can occur after heavy alcohol consumption, including headache, nausea, dehydration, and fatigue. The severity of a hangover depends on a number of factors like the amount of alcohol consumed, the type of alcohol consumed, and the individual’s tolerance to alcohol.
Soju, like other types of alcohol, contains ethanol, which is the chemical that causes a hangover. When alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and metabolized by the liver. As the liver metabolizes the alcohol, it produces chemicals called congeners, which can contribute to the symptoms of a hangover. Soju, like other types of alcohol, contains congeners, which can contribute to the symptoms of a hangover.
One reason that people say that Soju gives you a worse hangover than other types of alcohols is that Soju is typically a lower percentage of alcohol which is very drinkable. In fact, most green bottle Sojus are created to be as drinkable as possible – original varieties often have just a tad of sweetener added to cut the alcohol flavour. Because it’s so drinkable, people often lose track of how much they’re drinking and end up consuming larger amounts.
Another reason is that fruit Sojus, like original sojus, are ultra drinkable. Often these fruit varieties (like plum, grapefruit, lychee, peach, etc.) taste very similar to juice so they are often finished very quickly. They are super tasty but be sure to track how much you’re drinking!
It is difficult to say whether Soju itself specifically gives you more of a hangover than other types of alcohol, as the severity of a hangover can vary depending on a number of factors. The amount and type of congeners present in Soju can vary depending on the brand and the production methods used, and different individuals may have different levels of sensitivity to the effects of congeners. To avoid a hangover, it is important to drink in moderation and stay hydrated.
To consume the lowest amount of congeners possible try and drink more premium Sojus like Hwayo, Tokki, Andong, or Won Soju which use higher quality ingredients and better production methods.
And as always, be sure to drink responsibly!