So what's all the buzz? Why is the liquid energy drink sector the fastest growing sector in the beverage industry? What are the best energy drinks? Why are new liquid energy drinks hitting the market almost daily?

We're stressed.

It's that simple. Oh, and all the cool people are advertising them.

What's been the major factor in the growth of the liquid energy drink market? Marketing.

Cool names like Red Bull, Monster, Spike, Amp and the list goes on and on. How many do you think? No one knows for sure, but there's a blog dedicated to tasting and reviewing liquid energy drinks, and the last time I visited the site the owner had tasted well over 1,000 different drinks.

Now that's dedication.

Where did this all begin?

Now I don't want to bore you with the details of the history of energy drinks, but the best I can tell the official launch of energy drinks began in Japan when Taisho Pharmaceuticals released a drink called Lipovitan-D in 1962. It contained a mix of B1, B2, and B6 vitamins, along with niacin and taurine, all of which are metabolic agents intended to boost energy and concentration.

Now personally, I think the history of liquid energy drinks dates back to the early soft drinks. That was the whole point of most of them. To give a little boost and have an addicting taste.

In fact, if not mistaken, early Coca-Cola had a hint of cocaine in it before the government stepped in. Sound familiar? A major manufacturer of one of the top energy drinks recently had shipments of their product recalled due to minimal amounts of cocaine.

Tonic drink's or liquid energy drinks soon grew in popularity in Asia and, in 1987, an Austrian named Dietrich Mateschitz took the initial concept, added caffeine and sugar, and formulated Red Bull, which quickly became popular in Europe.

Notice I mention added caffeine and sugar. These two ingredients are now the center of debate on the dangers of energy drinks and the two ingredients that are mostly responsible for the effects of energy drinks.

So back to why we drink energy drinks in the first place. Quite simply, it's how they taste and how they make us feel. In fact, it's quite evident that if the drink makes us feel good enough, how it tastes is not as big a factor. Some of these drinks are quite horrible in flavor.

Obviously, the beverage industry isn't always looking out for our best interest. The increase in diabetes and obesity has many ties to the consumption of sugar laden soft drinks. And what is an energy drink but a supped up soda so to speak.

Not in all cases, but let's look a little deeper at the pros and cons of energy drinks. What about healthy energy drinks? Is it possible to find a drink that could be considered a liquid vitamin mineral supplement?

First, let's look at some facts about energy drinks.

All liquid energy drinks contain some form of caffeine. I'm not going to go into detail here on the types of caffeine or amounts other than to say, too much caffeine can cause erratic heart beat, insomnia, and dehydration.

Almost all liquid energy drinks contain sugar. One of the dangers of energy drinks is too much sugar. The empty calories associated with beverages of all types are being shown to increase glucose intolerance, which can lead to diabetes, and obesity.

So for starters, if you're looking for healthy energy drinks, you should start by looking for those with no added caffeine and no added sugar.

Quick question.

Do you read the ingredients?

Sadly most people don't. You just walk up to the counter, see the newest energy drink sensation, think about how tired you feel, and bam you make that impulse buy.

Choosing a liquid nutritional drink that provides energy should be the same as the other food choices you make. Informed. You need to take the time to get the facts about energy drinks before consuming them.

Let's go back to what the Japanese brought to the plate in the 60's and look at those basic ingredients,

"It contained a mix of B1, B2, and B6 vitamins, along with niacin and taurine, all of which are metabolic agents intended to boost energy and concentration."

By revisiting the history of energy drinks, we see a great start for the makings of a functional energy drink. One that is both healthy and energizing. In fact, if you are really careful in your search, you can find a liquid energy drink that can also serve as a liquid diet drink.

What's a big player in the growing level of obesity today? Sugar laden beverages. Too many empty calories. The alternative is to find a liquid nutritional drink that provides the boost you want and need, but low in calories and sugar.

Finally, let's look at one more consideration. Cost.

A liquid nutritional drink now comes in about 3 forms. Powder, can, and shot. Price should be about $1, $2, and $3 respectively. If you're paying more than that it's probably too much.

In summary, if you're getting your liquid nutritional drink or liquid energy drink from the corner convenience store, it may be a good price, but it's unlikely that it's the best in regard to nutritional value.

Do your homework and get the facts about energy drinks. Take the time to look at the pros and cons of energy drinks and look for a liquid nutritional drink that will give the energy boost you need.

When looking for that liquid energy drink be sure to keep in mind that it can and should serve as a liquid diet drink as well.