Dear Dr. Donohue — What's your take on drinking caffeinated beverages, including coffee, before exercise or before a game? I have told my sons that drinking such beverages will dehydrate them. They claim they boost energy and are harmless. Who's right?



Moderate amounts of caffeinated drinks, including coffee, before exercise or before a game are acceptable and can even provide benefits for an athlete used to drinking such beverages. Moderate translates into about three cups of coffee. Coffee has almost reached the status of a health drink. It provides protection against heart attacks, strokes and diabetes. And it might decrease the risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. It's a source of magnesium, chromium, potassium and the B vitamin niacin. It contains antioxidants. Oxidants are byproducts of cells that act to promote effects similar to those of rust. Antioxidants are rust-proofing materials.

As for sports, caffeine has many favorable effects. It boosts endurance, and that has been shown in many studies. It enhances the body's burning of fat for energy. That preserves the body's stores of glycogen, stored carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are high-octane energy fuels. Keeping them in reserve makes it possible to withstand the rigors of long-duration events.

As for your point about increased urination and possible dehydration from caffeinated beverages, that was something that was taught for many years. It became a universal belief. It isn't true, however. Caffeine-containing beverages cause the production of no more urine than does the equivalent amount of water. Athletes who drink such beverages don't become dehydrated and don't lose their ability to control body temperature.

Caffeine seems to dull muscle pain that comes with exercise.

On the downside, caffeine causes the jitters in some, and it can lead to tremors that interfere with fine muscle control and coordination.

Dear Dr. Donohue — My 15-year-old daughter is using her 17-year-old brother's weightlifting equipment. I am horrified. I don't want her to have the same bulging muscles that he has developed. They're fine on him. They won't be fine on her. What do you think of weightlifting for girls?



I'm all for it. Just about everyone in the fitness world endorses weightlifting for girls.

Your daughter won't develop the same bulging muscles that your son has developed. She doesn't have the same amount of testosterone he does. Testosterone is the hormone that promotes muscle growth. She will, however, become stronger, and she will be a better athlete — if that's her goal. If it isn't her goal, she'll do her bones a great favor. Strong bones are built at young ages.



Write Dr. Donohue at P.O. Box 536475,

Orlando, Fla. 32853-6475.