Ayurveda says cold water is bad for you — is this true?

I've heard multiple times that cold water extinguishes your digestive fire. But I love cold water, especially in summer. How serious is this, really?

I get bloating and gas every day after meals — is this a Vata imbalance?

My digestion has been off for months. I get bloated and gassy after almost every meal, especially dinner. A friend told me this sounds like a Vata issue. Is that right, and what can I do about it?