The only other argument for powders is simply the convenience and speed at which you can prepare a meal that will give you a decent amount of protein and orther macronutrients depending on what's in your supps. The question would be whether you even need it if indeed 0.8perkg was indeed enough.
0.8g /kg is the RDA, some people may require a little more, but I suggest that anyone eating a diet of normal food such as meat/eggs/vegetables/salad/nuts etc would be well exceeding this number anyway, and I highly doubt that a protein shake is needed to supplement any short comings.
How do you think these numbers stack up when compared to the previous discussions had on here around optimal protein intake for muscle protein synthesis being 30-40g and timing being 3-4 hours between protein. At 80kg and 0.8 that would suggest 2 meals a day is enough for me.
I seriously believe that it's just overthinking stuff and smart marketing by supplement manufacturers, many of these so called studies are paid for, organised and supported by the manufacturers of said supplements. Your body is better adapted than that and does not need every nutrient made available through food every minute of the day, if that was the case we as a species would have become extinct millions of years ago.
At the end of the day I have been involved in Lifting weighs for 35 years now, and I have tried them all, I have had amino's, protein shakes, pre workout, post workout, creatine, various lotions and potions and really none of them have made an ounce of difference, the best results were being had with consistant training, sleeping and eating a balanced diet of normal foods.
Then there is the another big point that I have not even mentioned yet, the health issues excess protein consumption is linked to and the strain additional supplements put on your body and internal organs.
Then there is the other issue of no regulation in the supplement industry and who is to say you are getting what you are supposed to get in your shake. Most of us remember the 'NoBull Protein' saga , where they were (knowingly or unknowingly) selling cheap high carb milk powder as WPI, and everyone was wondering why the stuff tasted so great and how they were able to sell it so much cheaper than everyone else....
I don't know the answer but I know 2 things, 1. I eat a fair bit more than that and still don't put on a lot of weight and 2. I'll take a juicy steak over a shake any day.
Agreed 110% on that one...