A recent heath Q and A column in one of the newsletters I get concerned me, because it indicated that caffeine could be used to enhance performance before, during, and after a workout.

I was concerned because it stated you could have the equivalent of 3 cups of coffee prior to exercising. Now, it may be just because I am sensitive to even one mouthful of coffee, but it seems to me that what this would do to your heart rate would be rather alarming.

So yes, if you’re feeling a little sleepy late in the afternoon, instead of taking an over-the-counter stimulant, you can have a caffeinated drink and get a little pick-me-up. A cup of coffee might help with that too, or the essential British cup of tea. You might want to consider, however, if it is the caffeine giving you the pick me up, or just having a break and a hot drink.

If you’re planning on working out, you may wonder about caffeine and exercise. Is it a good idea to mix the two?

Caffeine is a stimulant, pure and simple. It is quickly absorbed into the body and begins to lose effectiveness after one to two hours.

Stimulants increase your heart rate and blood pressure, and release glucose into your blood stream. This may explain the extra energy you feel when you have caffeinated drinks.

Scientists also explain how caffeine increases the level of dopamine in your system, which activates the reward center of your brain. In short, caffeine makes you feel good.

The stimulant effect may make you feel more awake and more energetic for a short time, but will it affect how well you perform if you participate in sports or exercise?