If that were the case, then it would work all the time every time, therefore anyone who ate and drank would have eternal life, even the mass murderer or serial killer.
There'a a reason God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden and blocked the way to the Tree of Life. So they would not eat and live eternally beyond any chance for redemption, in a state of sin.
Jesus, as the end of His discourse in John 6 says clearly and plainly that the flesh is no help at all, the SPIRIT gives life, and that the words He spoke were spirit and life.
The prohibition of eating blood was never lifted after Pentecost. It's still in effect, even in the church age.
God CANNOT violate His own Law and principles. He cannot violate Himself.
The blood was ALWAYS for the atonement, never for consumption.
It is the Spirit that gives life to the flesh.
I agree MM. I believe it was symbolic. Jesus NEVER meant we are to drink real blood or eat real flesh. If one takes it literally, then one must take everything literally. Jesus said he was the door. He was called the lily of the valley. He was called the bright and morning star. He was called the Alpha and Omega. He was called the Lamb of God. You can see where this can cause problems. Take it literally, where context indicates it and figuratively where context indcates it.
On the other hand, I don't care a lot about these issues. I have said it about 50,000 times. I only care about how people expect to make it to Heaven. It doesn't matter what they might have right or wrong, if they don't go to Heaven. Nothing else matters.
I feel these other issues will take care of themselves, but I want to see them get saved first. Then we can worry about other issues.