Do you know on how many centuries of tabulating 'links' Newton, Darwin, and Einstein built their work? Apart from modesty, there is truth in Newton's claim about standing on the shoulders of giants.

Also, this is not a random fact. People have argued both ways whether coffe is healthy or not. If we want doctors to give advice based on facts, we have to, somehow, figure out who (if anybody) is right there. Barring a clear mechanism either way, looking for facts is a step towards scientific understanding.