The word both is often used in situations where it adds neither clarity nor elegance. For instance:
Both my wife and I enjoy cycling.
The chef tasted both the main course and the dessert before sending them to the customers.
There's no need to use both in the sentences above because
the two items have been identified. Both is only required when you don't otherwise make it clear you're referring to two people, two objects etc.
I'd say you can use both in both of those cases just to add emphasis. True, it isn't needed, but without emphasis, who would want to read it?
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