Many dairy-free ice creams that are also sugar-free use artificial sweeteners that may have potentially dangerous side effects. Some examples are acesulfame potassium, aspartame, and sucralose (Splenda).  Evidence of long-term health effects of artificial sweeteners is mixed, but some research shows they may have a negative impact on gut health. Since we don’t yet know for certain the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners, we recommend avoiding certain products and using "safer" sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit extract in moderation in your diet, just like with real sugar.