Beet Juice (2020) 10'
For string quartet.
Premiered by the Aizuri Quartet at Princeton University, 11/6/20. Self-published (Morningside Press, ASCAP). Can be performed alone or as the fourth movement of the four movement work Axel.
When we exercise regularly, we gain endurance by improving our body’s ability to deliver oxygen to our muscles. When we strengthen our lungs, we can take bigger oxygen-rich breaths; when we strengthen our hearts, we can pump oxygen-rich blood more quickly. But it was taken as a biological law that the amount of energy we derive from each oxygen molecule is constant. In other words, no matter how fit you are, it should be the case that a given amount of oxygen can only produce a specific amount of physiochemical work. Enter Beet Juice. A groundbreaking 2009 study[1] turned the exercise physiology world on its head: researchers found that, unlike any known drug, steroid, or supplement ever tested, Beet Juice could actually increase the body’s ability to produce energy from oxygen. Dozens of follow-up studies over the intervening decade have confirmed the effect, though the mechanism is still a bit mysterious (it looks like our tongue bacteria are critical, so mouthwash is a bad idea of you want to dope with Beet Juice!). This piece has something to do with the energy, exertion, and elation of pushing our physical limits.
[1] Bailey SJ, Winyard P, Vanhatalo A, Blackwell JR, Dimenna FJ, Wilkerson DP, Tarr J, Benjamin N, Jones AM. Dietary nitrate supplementation reduces the O2 cost of low-intensity exercise and enhances tolerance to high-intensity exercise in humans. J Appl Physiol. 2009 Oct;107(4):1144-55. Epub 2009 Aug 6.
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