To me, the difference between item X being a mere symbol of item Y, versus item X actually becoming item Y but retaining all of the physical properties of X, is a semantic one.
I knew without looking that you're not a lit major -- "mere" symbol indeed! And the Eucharist is the perfect symbol -- it is what it symbolizes.
If you think the difference is semantic, you don't really accept that X has become Y: if the physical properties are all there is, then it hasn't.
Unless the consecrated host bleeds (which it has done in certain miracles) or taken on the form of real flesh upon the altar (which it has also done). In both cases, the blood present was type AB and the tissue was found to be cardiac tissue-heart muscle.
We report, you decide.
Frank
Not semantics, FAITH.